Edinburgh, Scotland – Dr. Sandesh Gulhane, a Scottish Conservative MSP and health spokesperson, has been hailed as a hero after saving the life of a man who collapsed and stopped breathing at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.
Dr. Gulhane, who is also a GP, was on hand to provide immediate life-saving treatment when the man, who had been waiting in a queue to visit the Holyrood building, suddenly collapsed near the entrance. Without a pulse and unresponsive, the man was in critical condition when Dr. Gulhane and a team of first responders stepped in to help.
Heroic Response
Dr. Gulhane, with experience in emergency medical situations from his time as a junior doctor, immediately began CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). Working with the team, they used a defibrillator to shock the man’s heart back into action, performing two cycles of CPR and two defibrillator shocks before they successfully revived his pulse and restored his breathing.
Reflecting on the dramatic moment, Dr. Gulhane said, “Unfortunately, he didn’t have a pulse and stopped breathing, so we had to resuscitate him. We went through two cycles and shocked him twice. We were then able to bring back his pulse and get him breathing again, which was fantastic news. I do hope that he is OK and on his road to recovery.”
Teamwork Under Pressure
Dr. Gulhane expressed pride in the way his team responded, particularly as many had never encountered a life-or-death situation before. He remarked on how well the first-aid responders worked together, despite the intensity of the situation, stating, “I’m proud of how well they all worked together, and how we came together despite it being a lot of people’s first time.”
Despite the emotional and physical toll of the situation, Dr. Gulhane quickly moved on to his duties for the day, noting the importance of remaining composed in the face of such incidents. “As a GP or a junior doctor, when these things happen, you have to continue your day, you can’t just stop. So I went back to the round table and got on with my day because it is important that you do move on from these situations.”
The Importance of CPR and Defibrillators
In his interview, Dr. Gulhane also stressed the importance of learning basic CPR and having access to defibrillators in public spaces. He highlighted that training in CPR is widely available and can save lives in emergencies. “There’s plenty of places where you can learn basic CPR and it’s free, like the British Heart Foundation or St John Ambulance. There’s no magic involved, it’s just a skill you can learn,” he said.
Dr. Gulhane emphasized that the defibrillator played a pivotal role in saving the man’s life. “Ultimately, it was the defibrillator that saved this man’s life,” he explained. He also encouraged anyone who might encounter a similar situation to remain calm, perform CPR, and use a defibrillator if available. “The defibrillator will literally speak to you and tell you what to do,” he said. “And don’t be scared, the 999 operator will also talk you through it and help you.”
A Personal Note
Dr. Gulhane’s wife, Punam Krishan, a Strictly Come Dancing contestant, was recently voted off the popular show. The couple’s combined medical and public profiles have drawn attention to the important issue of heart health and first aid education.
Dr. Gulhane’s quick thinking and calm under pressure helped prevent a tragedy at the Scottish Parliament, underscoring the life-saving role that bystanders with CPR training can play in emergencies.
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating that the patient was transported to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where they continued to receive treatment. The spokesperson emphasized the critical role of early CPR and defibrillator use in increasing the chances of survival after cardiac arrest.
