DOCTORS have been reunited with the man whose life they saved after he suffered a cardiac arrest in their surgery waiting room.

Leslie Bragg this week returned to Ashville Medical Practice on Thornton Road in Kendray, where he collapsed from a cardiac arrest and was treated by doctors who carried out CPR and used a defibrillator.

Leslie, 72, of Lockeaflash Crescent, Stairfoot, had been in the waiting room with his wife Christine, who is a patient.

He remembers nothing of the incident, in which he slumped on Christine’s shoulder which prompted her to shout for help.

The receptionist pressed the emergency button and within seconds doctors, medical and admin staff flooded the waiting room.

Christine, 71, said: “It was very frightening. We had just sat down and were talking and I heard this noise. His head was slumped on my shoulder and he was making this terrible noise. I shouted for the receptionist and said I needed some help, and people came from everywhere. They were so good.

“The doctors were straight there on hand. If he had been anywhere else, like in the car or at home, he probably wouldn’t be here.

“I can’t praise them and thank them enough for what they did. I know it is their job, but they don’t come across that very often.”

When he arrived at hospital, Leslie was taken straight to A and E, where a doctor told him he had not had a heart attack, but his collapse was down to heart failure.

He had an operation to have a pacemaker and defibrillator fitted in his chest.

He said: “I can’t remember anything. I remember talking to my wife, and the next thing I knew was that the doctors were on top of me.

“I’m OK now though, I’ve just got a little bit of pain. I don’t really feel any differently to before, it just takes a bit of getting used to as I can feel the defibrillator in my chest. I would like to thank them for what they have done for me. There are no words really, ‘thank you’ doesn’t cover it.”

Leslie was born with a number health problems, including Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome, a heart condition which causes the heart to beat irregularly, and only one kidney, and Christine thinks this recent heart complaint could be linked.

Mel Jones, practice manger at Ashville Medical Practice, recalled the traumatic events of that day.

She said: “Mr Bragg was lifeless, he had no pulse. We got the defibrillator, and CPR was started. We were also trying to keep Mrs Bragg away from the situation. She knew it was serious and it was equally as important to comfort her, as it’s a terrible thing to see.

“We put a big screen around him, because we had to work on him there and then. We had to do chest compressions and shock him back to life. People knew something was going on but were very respectful.”

Mel was helping Christine, while the doctors worked on Leslie and other members of staff called an ambulance. Leslie was taken to the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield, where he spent several weeks recuperating. He had a further cardiac arrest in hospital, but has now been discharged following his heart surgery.

Mel added: “He has now registered as a patient with us. He has been in the surgery and it was so lovely to see him.

“People are always willing to complain about things, but this is a lovely success story in that we saved this man’s life.

“He was so grateful and so lovely. We all worked together and we are delighted we were able to save his life. What was important to us was that we were able to put in to practice what we have been trained for.

“It was only in January that we had our CPR and defibrillator training.”