CPR at 38,000ft: Good Samaritan nurse is our Patient’s Choice
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CPR at 38,000ft: Good Samaritan nurse is our Patient’s Choice

Elaine Cole @prideinnursing

Isobel Corrie won the public vote for the Patient’s Choice Award after saving a fellow passenger’s life

Anurse who saved a fellow plane passenger’s life at 38,000ft while still a student has won the prestigious Patient’s Choice category of the RCNi Nurse Awards 2020.

Nursing Standard. 35, 11, 27-27. doi: 10.7748/ns.35.11.27.s14

Published: 04 November 2020

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Isobel Corrie, who now works for South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust, won the public vote for the award, which attracted more than 10,000 votes overall.

Ms Corrie was one of six finalists chosen from scores of nurses nominated by members of the public for making an enormous difference to their lives.

She was nominated by James Birch, who went into cardiac arrest while travelling back to the UK from a holiday in Thailand with his partner in 2019.

Emergency response on a flight

Ms Corrie, who was on the same flight, was looking forward to her graduation from Oxford Brookes University the following week and then starting her first job as a qualified nurse at Warwick Hospital.

She was fast asleep but woken by the person sitting next her, who told her there was an emergency on board and staff were asking for anyone with medical experience.

Ms Corrie put herself forward, carried out CPR and ran the emergency response in cramped conditions for 45 minutes before the aircraft landed.

Mr Birch is delighted her courage and professionalism has been recognised. ‘This brave young lady saved my life when it would have been easier to sit quietly and do nothing,’ he says. ‘Despite being on a plane, she did such a good job that I have very few consequences. I am in no doubt that had she not stepped forward I would not be here today.’

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Isobel Corrie, newly qualified nurse and winner of the RCNi Patient’s Choice Award

Spotlight on newly qualified staff

South Warwickshire trust’s director of nursing Fiona Burton says she is ‘unbelievably proud’ of Ms Corrie.

‘Her bravery and compassion is exactly what the nursing profession is all about,’ she says.

‘Even at the start of her career she has demonstrated what a dedicated nurse she is. Isobel is an asset to our trust.’

Ms Corrie’s actions attracted considerable media attention when the Patient’s Choice shortlist was announced, and she was interviewed on BBC She says: ‘I’ve been really pleased to shine a light on newly qualified nurses in the media to say “we are here and we are doing our best”. We can feel a bit in the background.

‘James and I have been checking in to make sure we are okay and we have been really happy and excited for each other.’

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‘I am in no doubt that had Isobel not stepped forward, I would not be here today’

James Birch, nominator, pictured above with his partner Julie

Mr Birch and Ms Corrie marked significant milestones during the period of the public vote – the first anniversary of Mr Birch’s cardiac arrest and Ms Corrie’s completion of her first year as a registered nurse.

She celebrated her anniversary at work, in the gastrointestinal surgery department at Warwick Hospital. ‘I wouldn’t have it any other way. It felt like a milestone.

‘I feel so satisfied and proud about what I do. You never know what might happen – what might come through your door. Nursing is such a fantastic job.’

Good Samaritan nurses: what are the legal and professional implications? rcni.com/good-samaritan-nurse

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