Emergency Hero of the Year: Mandy Hallett

MANDY HALLETT has been nominated for the Medical Specialist Group-sponsored Emergency Hero of the Year award for her ‘fast thinking, compassion and continued monitoring’ when her colleague Helen Ridley began having a brain aneurysm at work.

MANDY HALLETT has been nominated for the Medical Specialist Group-sponsored Emergency Hero of the Year award for her ‘fast thinking, compassion and continued monitoring’ when her colleague Helen Ridley began having a brain aneurysm at work.

Mrs Hallett said: ‘I had experience with strokes and the necessary first aid required as my father had suffered a stroke four years earlier. 

‘When I arrived, I saw Helen slumped in her chair, and although breathing her eyes looked strange. She was limp and unresponsive to sound and touch. Helen began to fit so we safely and quickly manoeuvred her to the floor and into the recovery position.

‘In my head I thought, we need the paramedics here really fast.’

Mrs Hallett continued to closely monitor Helen’s condition while another colleague was on the phone to the emergency services. On two occasions, Helen stopped breathing.

The emergency services then took over Helen’s care and she was transferred to the UK where she underwent emergency brain surgery. Helen has now made what Mrs Hallett describes as an amazing recovery and is back at work as a receptionist at Saffery Champness.

Helen added: ‘It is still very unreal and heart-warmingly satisfying knowing that although I was at my very worst, it brought out the very best in those around me.’