NHS 75: ‘Salisbury Hospital staff saved my son’s life’
The family are joining Walk for Wards to thank the staff of Sarum Children's Unit
As the NHS prepares for it’s 75th anniversary, a parent in Fordingbridge has told us how NHS staff in Salisbury saved his son’s life.
When Chris Perkins and his wife Shelley rushed their two-week old son Taylor to Salisbury District Hospital, Taylor’s life hung in the balance.
But thanks to the efforts of staff at SDH, Taylor survived and is approaching his first birthday.
And to thank the staff, Chris and Shelley are raising money for Sarum Children’s Unit at this weekends Walk for Wards at Wilton House.
Rapid deterioration
“Taylor showed signs of deterioration quite rapidly, for no particular reason,” Chris told us. The staff assessed Taylor on arrival and concluded he needed urgent help.
Chris said it was confusing, but it soon became clear his son was in a desperate situation.
“Before you knew it, there was a dozen doctors and nurses around him, trying to keep him alive. As it turns out, he was born with a heart defect that was affecting him quite seriously.”
The staff managed to keep baby Taylor alive overnight for him to have major surgery the next day.
Chris praised the staff for the support. “The staff were fantastic. They gave us the information pretty directly, and with us going into some level of shock and disbelief, they were there to help us get through the ordeal.”
Taylor now recovering
Taylor is “doing well” now, at nearly nine-months old, but he is a “diddy, little thing” says Chris.
“He’s still very reliant on a feeding tube and is going in for an operation to mend a large hole in his heart, hopefully in a few weeks’ time.
“By that point, we hope he’s over the worst of it.”
Chris described Taylor as a “happy little lad” and said he and Shelley were very pleased to have him at home with them.
Eye-opening experience
Chris said the experience “opened my eyes” to how much we depend on NHS staff. “It’s so incredibly inspiring to see what they’re doing, the care and support, it’s remarkable.”
He added that other parents should know that they are in “good hands”, saying it was a pleasure to see the work NHS staff put in with Taylor.