'Hero' Dudley pharmacist came to rescue of man suffering seizure on flight
A pharmacist who helped a pensioner when he began to have seizures on an aeroplane has been presented with a healthcare hero award by the man he helped.
Travelling on holiday with his family from Birmingham to Cyprus, Stephen Payne – a pharmacist at the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust – provided urgent medical care and support to another holidaymaker who was suffering with epileptic seizures.
Alan Brettell, 73, who was travelling with his 67-year-old wife Rose, who is a former Black Country and Dudley nurse herself, suddenly began to convulse an hour into the flight. Stephen, along with Rose, sprang into action.
Alan has suffered with epilepsy since childhood but it doesn’t usually take the form of seizures, so it was a very difficult situation for all involved.
He said: "Stephen was absolutely brilliant and having him on the plane was such a wonderful coincidence.
