WHEN 11-year-old Haslemere schoolboy Jack Clarke attended a Save the Royal Surrey rally last October he had no idea he would need life-saving treatment at the hospital less than a year later. Jack became ill in May with severe asthma and needed immediate treatment. Fortunately, he was able to get to the Guildford hospital quickly where he received specialised care in its accident and emergency unit and paediatric wards. Jack's condition then became critical and he needed the skill of the doctors and nurses at the Royal Surrey to stabilise him before they coulc arrange for him to be transferred to an intensive care unit in London. Jack and his family believe this case highlights the importance of having a hospital close to Haslemere to deal with life threatening medical conditions. Recent research suggests increased journey distances to hospital leads to an increased risk of death for some patients. Jack's mother, Susan told The Herald: "Jack needed immediate care and we were lucky to be able to get to the Royal Surrey so quickly. "His condition was very complex and needed close management. "The Royal Surrey was pivotal in managing his care and arranging further specialised care. "The staff were on hand when his condition became life threatening and their care saved his life. "They also looked after us a family. The hospital was familiar to us and therefore less frightening for Jack, and being so close it enabled family and friends to visit which helped Jack's recovery. "We are so grateful to all the staff and this confirms the importance of access to local accident and emergency services." Jack said: "The Royal Surrey saved my life. "I was very ill with asthma. "I kept getting worse and worse and if the hospital had not have been so close I don't what would have happened. "All the staff in accident and emergency and on the children's ward were so kind and worked hard to make me better". Jack has since recovered and was well enough to start the new school term at Woolmer Hill School.
