Bank Nurse presented with prestigious Daisy Award for saving the life of walking footballer

A Bank Nurse from University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) who helped to save the life of a walking footballer has been presented with a prestigious national award. 

Karen Stonier was taking part in a nursing training session at Longton Rugby Club in May when she was alerted to somebody collapsing on the pitch outside. 

Without hesitation, Karen sprinted to the scene and started performing CPR on Roy Walley, and was able to use a nearby defibrillator to restart his heart three times following a cardiac arrest before paramedics arrived.

Karen and Roy were reunited at the Royal Stoke University Hospital earlier this week, when Karen was presented with a Daisy Award, given out to extraordinary nurses for their exemplary, compassionate care provided to patients and families.

After the presentation, Karen said: “I was attending a tissue viability training meeting and had just finished lunch, when a gentleman ran into the room to say somebody had just collapsed on the pitch outside during a walking football session.

“Along with colleagues, I ran onto the pitch and found Roy lying face-down on the grass not moving or breathing. I started to perform CPR, luckily there was a defibrillator at the club which I was able to use to shock him three times before the ambulance arrived.

“I wasn’t thinking about anything other than trying to get him back. I kept talking to him and asking him to squeeze my hand- my job was to keep him alive. It was a weird feeling, the other nurses attending the training with me asked if I wanted them to take over, but my adrenaline had kicked in, and I wouldn’t stop until help arrived.

“I’d worked for UHNM for 20 years before moving into Nurse Bank, starting out as a Healthcare Assistant before completing my training and spending eight years on the Coronary Care Unit, so I was able to put my skills into action that day.”

Roy, a lifelong Stoke City supporter, was taken by air ambulance to the Royal Stoke where surgeons fitted an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), used to monitor and treat abnormal heart rhythms.

He attended Sharon’s presentation in the Royal Stoke’s Boardroom with wife Linda, sons Kevin and Martin, and daughter-in-Law Deb.

The 76-year-old from Porthill said: “I’ve been taking part in walking football for about 10 years, it’s like being a kid again, having a kick about with your friends. On that day I parked my car, had a jog around the pitch to warm up and started to kick a ball about, but after that I can’t remember anything. I’ve been told people saw me collapse face-first onto the pitch.  

“It hasn’t bothered me because I can’t remember anything about it. I now take all my pills as required, but the bit I don’t like most is not being able to drive for six months. I’ve tried to carry on life as normal since being discharged by my cardiac nurse, even managing to walk to the top the Great Orme In Llandudno with my wife Linda. With the new ICD implant, I’ve got my own paramedic in my chest, and hopefully it never goes off.”   

Speaking at the presentation, Ann-Marie Riley, Chief Nurse at UHNM, said: “The Daisy Award is a special award that is recognised across the world for registered nurses, and I’m thrilled that Karen has become the first member of UHNM Bank Staff to receive it. It’s really important we recognise our temporary workforce, and she has had a massive impact on Roy and his family.” 

Stephaine Albutt, Senior Sister for Nurse Bank at UHNM said: “We’re very proud a member of bank staff has received this award, recognising the amazing work they do for us at UHNM.”  

Karen said: “Seeing him again is very emotional. I spoke to him over the phone after he was discharged from hospital, but this is the first time I’ve seen him again in person- it makes my job worthwhile seeing the outcome. I’m not one for compliments normally, but I’m very proud with what I’ve done, it was a team effort too. I’m proud and privileged to do my job everyday, and to get this Daisy Award is amazing.”  

Roy said: “It was pure luck we were playing at the Rugby Club that day where Karen was, rather than our normal venue of the Stoke City Academy. I’m planning on returning to the sessions later this month.”

Roy’s wife Linda added: “I think about Karen and what she did for Roy every day.”