'Dr Gray's staff saved my life'
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A MORAY man has thanked staff at Dr Gray's after their quick-thinking saved his life and allowed him to see his daughter being born.
Craig Macdonald (40) had been suffering with what was initially thought to be a chest infection before his condition deteriorated and he had to be put into intensive care and transferred to Aberdeen.
But after life-saving treatment, Mr Macdonald recovered and got out of hospital the same day as his partner, Siobhan, went into labour.
Problems started for the Elgin taxi driver when he was struggling to breathe with not enough air getting to his lungs.
It got to such a stage that family members were told to say what they needed as hospital staff feared the worst.
However, there was one last resort as a specialist extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine was suggested.
The machine was transported through from Aberdeen with a team of specialised doctors and nurses, and is believed to be the first time it has been used in Elgin.
ECMO is used when a patient has a critical condition which prevents the lungs or heart from working normally. It pumps and oxygenates blood outside the body, allowing the heart and lungs to rest.
Mr Macdonald's mum Patricia, dad Derek and the rest of the family were by his side as he underwent the crucial treatment.
After around four hours of being fitted to the machine, Mr Macdonald was transferred safely to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
He was released from hospital over a week later and on the same day his partner, Siobhan, went into labour giving birth to couple's baby girl, Eva.
The family now hope to thank the staff for their actions which helped save Craig's life.
His dad, Derek Macdonald said: "I cannot praise them enough for how they handled this. Both Elgin and Aberdeen were brilliant throughout.
Craig's sister, Laura Blakesley added: "Thanks to the quick-thinking of Dr Smith at Dr Gray's, Craig is still here. He knew what he needed and it actually worked and saved his life.
"If it wasn't for the staff at Dr Gray's thinking so quick it could have been too late."
Now recovering back at home, Mr Macdonald has been told it could be up to six months before he makes a full recovery.
He said: "I just want to say thanks and wish I could give something back to them for all they have done. I don't remember most of it, but my family told me everything that had happened."
A spokesperson for NHS Grampian said: "ECMO is a highly sub-specialised area within intensive care and Aberdeen is one of only six centres in the UK, and the only one in Scotland, who provide this service.
"We are pleased to hear Mr Macdonald is recovering and we send our warmest congratulations to him and his partner on the birth of their daughter."
