Welcome to the Telecare Choice monthly news round-up. This month we are exploring how UK call handlers saved a woman an ocean way, a man ended up with four kidneys, and a story about a group of teenagers who saved a missing dementia patient.
UK Call Handlers Praised for Saving Woman in Canada
Durham police call handlers recently had to go above and beyond their jurisdiction when they were contacted through an online chat by a terrified woman. She wrote: “I need help, is in in the house,” before becoming unresponsive. It did not take long before the call handlers, Fiona Barker and David Wallace, realised the woman was contacting them from Durham, Canada. In her panic, the woman had accidentally contacted police in Durham, UK, instead of her local police force.
However, that did not stop the call handlers, who rapidly got in contact with the correct department in Durham, Canada.
Canadian police cornered and arrested a 35-year-old man near the scene of the break-in shortly after. The woman was injured, but she received medical attention and has since been reported safe.
In response to their diligent work, the call handlers received an Inspector’s Recognition award from the police service in Durham, Canada. They were told that their work was a “true example of international cooperation”.
Man Left With Four Kidneys After Transplants
After undergoing two kidney transplants over the course of several years, a man has been left with four kidneys inside him.
Stuart Middleton had presumed his failing kidneys would be removed from his body once the transplant was complete, but to his surprise his original two kidneys were left in place. After discovering he had Berger’s disease, Stuart was told that both his kidneys would eventually fail. He had his first kidney transplant in 2008, but after several years he needed another.
According to a Kidney Research UK spokeswoman, Stuart’s situation is not wholly unique. She said: “It is actually quite common for transplant patients to have four kidneys,” stating that, “Kidneys would only be removed if they were causing problems.”
Though Stuart’s original kidneys no longer function, he still carries them with him every day – a reminder of the generosity of those around him.
Teens Save Missing Dementia Patient
Four teenagers have been commended by Welsh police for helping to save a missing dementia patient.
On an otherwise usual Saturday night, the teenagers saw a man struggling to walk on Barry’s Harbour Road in South Wales. They approached him and attempted to help. The man told them that he believed himself to have hypothermia. Two teens did their best to flag down cars while the others called an ambulance. Thanks to their quick thinking, it only took twenty minutes before a police car arrived and the man was taken to hospital.
South Wales police thanked the girls for their help, and their willingness to stay “with the man for a period of time in awful weather, ensuring he was OK until they could get help”.
Our Mission
At Telecare Choice we are dedicated to helping the elderly, frail, and disabled remain confident and independent in their own homes. By purchasing one of our personal alarm plans, you will benefit from 24/7 coverage, 365 days a year. In an emergency, simply press the button on your pendant and help will be arranged.
We also offer fall detector and GPS packages for additional peace of mind.
To find out more about our personal alarm service, call our helpful team on 0800 635 7000 or use our contact form.
