Heroic St Bartholomew's nurse saves a life in a race against time
After completing the London Pride Run 10K on Saturday, Suksung noticed a fellow runner collapsed at the finish line and immediately started CPR.
It’s not every day you save someone’s life, and the person whose life you have saved ends up recovering on the hospital ward on which you work.
But for Suksung Lee, a hero staff nurse on ward 3A west at St Bartholomew's Hospital, that’s exactly what happened last weekend.
After completing the London Pride Run 10K on Saturday, Suksung noticed a fellow runner collapsed at the finish line and immediately started CPR.
Amazingly, 42 year-old Richard Simmonds from Bloomsbury in London was successfully resuscitated and transferred to St Bartholomew’s Hospital in a stable condition and admitted to 3A west, where he remained as an inpatient until he was discharged a few days later.
Suksung, who works on ward 3A at Barts Heart Centre, came in to introduce himself to Richard and see how he was doing.
Richard and his family were hugely grateful and moved, as were all the staff on 3A.
Suksung said: “At first, I thought he [Richard] was just having a rest because some runners lie down like that after a run, but I soon realised something was wrong and I started CPR.
"Fellow runners, including an anaesthetist, joined in and helped too.
“It was really good to see Richard recovering so well on my ward - 3A.
“This was my first time ever giving CPR and it seems it wasn’t that bad!”
Before being discharged earlier this week, Richard said: “Words cannot describe how eternally grateful I am to Suksung for spotting me after such an endurance and saving my life.
"He is a true wonder and it amazes me still that he was able to act so rapidly.
“I’m so pleased to say that the wonderful staff at St Bartholomew’s have performed similar miracles on me, and I can leave today a new man.
"I wish Suksung every success in life – he richly deserves it - as well as the adoration from this amazing hospital."
After being treated at the hospital, Richard left his race medal behind on the ward, with a note to Suksung saying: “I know we lost our medals in the melee, but I want you to have the one I was handed as you are truly deserving of it.
"A tiny token, I know, but hopefully one you can look upon with ‘Pride’.”
You’re a true hero Suksung Lee, well done.
We’re all hugely proud of you.