Off-duty Countess staff member praised for CPR response
A trainee advanced clinical practitioner from the Countess of Chester Hospital has been commended after performing CPR while off duty during a public emergency in Wirral.
Claire Slater, who works in acute medicine and is trained in advanced life support, intervened after seeing an individual in medical distress at a retail park on Tuesday 5 August.
Despite being out of uniform and without clinical equipment, she assessed the situation, began CPR and coordinated with bystanders to call emergency services and fetch a defibrillator. Emergency responders arrived shortly afterwards and the individual showed signs of improvement.
Reflecting on the incident, Claire said: “I knew I had the skills, but without my usual team and equipment, it was incredibly daunting. The pressure of being the medically trained person on the scene was intense. I can’t imagine how overwhelming that would feel for someone without clinical experience.”
Dr Nigel Scawn, Medical Director at Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Claire’s actions exemplify the courage and professionalism we see in our staff every day. Her ability to respond so effectively in a high-pressure situation is truly commendable.”
Following the event, Claire reached out to the hospital’s Resuscitation Team for support. Resus Officer Jess Gould provided a personal debrief and reassurance. Claire said: “Jess helped me understand that my feelings were normal and gave me space to talk through what happened.”
The Trust says its Resuscitation Team prioritises staff wellbeing, offering emotional support even when incidents occur outside the hospital. John Bethel, Head of Clinical Education and Resuscitation Services, said: “Claire’s wellbeing matters. Supporting staff in this way reflects our commitment to emotional care as well as clinical excellence.”
Investment in CPR training
The Trust has recently acquired “Sim Man”, a new CPR training mannikin funded through charitable donations totalling almost £100,000. The simulator provides realistic cardiac arrest scenarios, forming part of advanced training delivered by the Resuscitation Team.
John Bethel said: “We want staff to feel confident and competent in delivering CPR wherever they are. Watching someone go from nervous to confident during a session is incredibly rewarding.”
Public CPR training returns
The Countess continues to promote CPR skills for the wider community. Over the past three years, more than 1,000 people have taken part in Trust-led sessions.
This year’s “Restart a Heart” event will be held on Tuesday 14 October, 10am–2pm, in the gardens of Chester Cathedral. The day will include hands-on activities and resources for all ages.
With more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests recorded annually in the UK, the Trust says early CPR can double or triple survival chances.
Claire reflected on her own experience: “The situation was chaotic and emotionally overwhelming. One of the hardest parts has been not knowing what happened to the patient afterwards. I truly hope they’re doing well.”
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