SNP Minister Richard Lochhead almost died after harrowing sepsis battle left him so ill he ‘had to learn to walk again’

SNP minister Richard Lochhead has revealed he had to learn how to walk again after suffering a serious sepsis infection which left him fighting for his life. The 55-year-old Moray MSP told how he had to undergo emergency heart surgery and was left unable to speak after surgery. The father-of-two initially fell ill in May
SNP Minister Richard Lochhead almost died after harrowing sepsis battle left him so ill he ‘had to learn to walk again’

SNP minister Richard Lochhead has revealed he had to learn how to walk again after suffering a serious sepsis infection which left him fighting for his life.

The 55-year-old Moray MSP told how he had to undergo emergency heart surgery and was left unable to speak after surgery.

The father-of-two initially fell ill in May but is now hopefully of returning to Holyrood to continue his role as Minister for Business.

He said: ‘It was very serious. There’s no doubt that I’m lucky to be here.

‘The NHS saved my life.’

Minister for Business Richard Lochhead and his wife Fiona

Minister for Business Richard Lochhead and his wife Fiona

Mr Lochhead plans to return to Holyrood in September after recovering from his ordeal

Mr Lochhead plans to return to Holyrood in September after recovering from his ordeal

Mr Lochhead told the Press and Journal fell ill with what he thought was flu, with the SNP politician developing fever-like symptoms.

But a week later he collapsed in his bathroom and could not move. He called his wife and his son to try help, but they couldn’t move him.

Mr Lochhead was rushed to Dr Gray’s Hospital, in his hometown of Elgin, where he was diagnosed with sepsis.

He was then transferred to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary to get a heart valve replaced after it had been badly affected by the infection.

But, he revealed, it ‘didn’t go too smoothly’ as surgeons encountered problems which meant the operation went on much longer than expected.

He said: ‘It was very serious and the doctors briefed my family that, at that particular fragile point, it was serious.’

Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport

 

Advertisement

The toll the surgery took on him was enormous, and Mr Lochhead, who is the Minister for Business with the Scottish Government, said he felt ‘totally vulnerable’ after coming out of intensive care and while on the high dependency ward after his operation.

He added: ‘I couldn’t do anything.

‘I had to learn to walk again. I’d lost my voice.

‘It took two to three weeks to get my voice back.’

He is now on course to return to the Scottish Parliament after the summer recess ends in September.

He said he found it ‘humbling’ how supportive parliamentary colleagues from across the political spectrum have been.

And the MSP said he has immense gratitude to the doctors, nurses and other staff who helped care for him during his time in hospital.

First Minister John Swinney visited Mr Lochhead at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary soon after he was admitted.

He said: ‘When you’re lying in a hospital bed, particularly in the early days of an operation, and you’re totally dependent on the nurses and support workers to help you get through the day.

‘Sometimes in hospital you get emotional and what I found was getting me emotional was I was struggling for the words to express my gratitude for those who were looking after me.’

SNP Business Minister Richard Lochhead fell seriously ill after developing sepsis

SNP Business Minister Richard Lochhead fell seriously ill after developing sepsis

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition – but it can be hard to spot.

With lots of possible symptoms, including those of other conditions like flu and chest infections, it is essential to get immediate medical treatment if it is suspected.

It is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in the world, and claims more than 4,000 lives every year in Scotland.

And Mr Lochhead, who was saved by NHS Grampian medics, told how he would remain grateful to them forever.

He said: ‘The NHS saved my life. And it reminds you in this country how lucky we are to have the NHS and it was there for me in my hour of need.

‘I’m eternally grateful.’

Symptoms of sepsis include fast or difficult breathing, uncontrolled shivering, confusion, and blotchy or cold arms or legs.

When sepsis strikes, the immune system overreacts and starts attacking not only the infection but everything else including the body’s own tissues and organs.

Total
0
Shares
Leave a Reply
Related Posts

Nicola Peltz-Beckham alleges NY dog groomer with history of ‘malicious abuse’ killed beloved pooch Nala: court docs

Nicola Peltz-Beckham is suing a Westchester dog groomer, who she claimed killed her beloved pooch, Nala. The 29-year-old actress alleges that HoundSpa in Mount Kisco was responsible for the chihuahua’s death, which came hours after she was treated at a routine grooming by an unfit employee, according to court documents obtained by TMZ. Jony Ceballos
Google Claims Censoring Searches on Donald Trump Assassination Attempt Was an Innocent Mistake
Read More

Google Claims Censoring Searches on Donald Trump Assassination Attempt Was an Innocent Mistake

Tech giant Google has addressed concerns raised by prominent conservatives regarding its search autocomplete function, particularly its censorship of searches related to the recent attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. The masters of the universe claims they are “working on improvements” including the autocomplete function. Fortune reports that in response to allegations of election interference
Jonathan Marchessault Bets on Sale of His $5.2M Las Vegas Mansion as He Skates Off to Nashville
Read More

Jonathan Marchessault Bets on Sale of His $5.2M Las Vegas Mansion as He Skates Off to Nashville

After seven seasons—and a Stanley Cup win—with the Las Vegas Golden Knights, center Jonathan Marchessault signed a five-year, $27.5 million contract with the Nashville Predators. So there’s no better time to roll the dice on a sale of his impressive Las Vegas mansion. The Canadian-born hockey star recently listed the five-bedroom, 5,586-square-foot home for $5,200,000.
EXCLUSIVETommy Robinson is ‘sacked’ by his British Muslim tax advisor after she accused him of instigating far-right race riots across the UK
Read More

EXCLUSIVETommy Robinson is ‘sacked’ by his British Muslim tax advisor after she accused him of instigating far-right race riots across the UK

Tommy Robinson has been 'sacked' by his British Muslim tax advisor after she accused him of instigating far-right race riots across the UK, MailOnline can reveal. Jesminara Rahman, who specialises in tax disputes, told the former English Defence League leader that she no longer wanted his money as he was 'destroying' the country after it