Fast-acting Nabil twice a life-saver

Reporter: Iram Ramzan
Date published: 13 February 2015


A Chadderton pharmacist has twice helped save the life of a woman who had collapsed after suffering a hypoglycaemic attack.

Nabil Bhatti, who works at Cathedral Pharmacy in Chadderton, helped Gill Walton, who works at the nearby Co-op store in Cathedral Road.

Mrs Walton (54), from Alkrington, had almost finished her shift when her colleagues realised something was wrong and one of them, Suzanne Brownridge ran to the pharmacy for help.

A hypoglycaemic attack occurs when the blood sugar in the body is too low and the brain is starved of glucose. The pharmacists were familiar with Mrs Walton, who had suffered a similar but less serious attack some months earlier.

Mr Bhatti (22) said: “She wouldn’t respond and seemed really confused and dizzy. I decided to check her blood sugar and it was severely low.”

Mr Bhatti gave her dextrose tablets and some Lucozade to raise her sugar level, then stayed with her as she came round.

Mr Bhatti added: “If untreated, a hypo attack is serious. I gave her advice on how to control her blood sugar. A lot of diabetic patients taking tablets aren’t sure what dose to take. I’ve advised her to see her GP.”

Manager Safraz Shafqat (28) said: “Nabil had been very professional.”

Mrs Walton, who has had diabetes for several years, can’t remember exactly what happened on the day, but said: “The pharmacy was absolutely fantastic. This is twice they’ve come to the rescue. I’m really grateful to them.”