The story of Alan Curan and how he battled back from being clinically dead for 28 minutes showcases the unwavering dedication and commitment to patient centre care within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and has now sparked Alan to become a volunteer.
Alan, 54, is from the East end of Glasgow and previously worked as a courier when he stopped in to check on a sick colleague at his home in November 2022.
It was a few days later that he began developing a cough and started to feel unwell.
The next thing Alan remembers is waking up in the Intensive Care Unit at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary in February 2023.
Alan developed pneumonia and sepsis after catching a flu that transpired into further complications. Doctors and nurses battled to keep Alan alive as he suffered several heart attacks, kidney failure and was in cardiac arrest for 28 minutes.
He said: “I spent over 11 weeks in intensive care where I was in a critical condition and for the vast majority of that period, I was heavily sedated in an induced coma. My memory isn’t clear and most of the memories that I do have, are of severe delirium.
“I spent six and a half months in total in hospital and cannot thank the support of all the nurses, doctors and staff who helped me during my stay.
“I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the unbelievable treatment and care that the staff provided for me and I will be eternally grateful.”
Alan now volunteers at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary after gaining an understanding of the compassionate support provided by volunteer teams across the organisation.
Sharing his own experience, he talks through motivation behind him joining NHSGGC as a volunteer.
“There were volunteers that would come to the ward, and I wasn’t really engaging at first as I had family and friends visiting regularly.
“After a couple of visits, there was one particular woman who I really enjoyed her company and I used to look forward to her coming to visit, just to have a chat and a laugh. It helps to break up the monotony of a day and lifts your mood,” Alan said.
“From my own experiences as a patient, I was invited to become a volunteer after attending the Inspire programme at the Intensive Care Unit at GRI in October.
“I get a great deal of satisfaction from it, both in the way that I can help people, and it gives me purpose and something to look forward to during the week.”
The volunteer service at NHSGGC is always looking for new people to help provide additional support to patients and Alan encouraged anyone who is interested to get involved.
“I was always someone in the past who thought about volunteering, but I would put good intentions on the shelf and have the ‘I will do it later’.
“NHSGGC was crucial in saving my life and I wanted to give something back. If I can do it, really anyone can.
“If you have even a small amount of spare time, there is a role you can fulfil, and I would encourage you to contact the volunteer service.”
For more information and how you can contact the volunteer service within NHSGGC, please visit Volunteering – NHSGGC
