Dyserth dad delivers son with help from paramedic on the phone

Dec 10 2008 By Andy Davies

Gareth Burns, Kate Thompson and baby Dylan

A RELIEVED Dyserth dad has paid a big tribute to the ambulance controller who talked him through the birth of his son.

Gareth Burns says North Wales Ambulance control operator Connie Packham was absolutely brilliant for talking him through the delivery of son Dylan over the phone during an unexpected home birth for partner Kate Thompson.

It was the first live birth for Connie who has only been working in the control room since the beginning of September.

Gareth, Kate and Dylan were recently reunited with Connie at Rhyl ambulance station. All three paid a big thank you to Connie’s coolness which helped with Dylan’s arrival on October 1.

Gareth explained the couple had just come back home in the afternoon when Kate suddenly went into labour in the bathroom.

He said: "I rang 999 first and then heard Kate scream upstairs and rushed to her. Connie rang back two or three times, my mum came round and picked up the phone and put her on loud speaker.

"I had the phone on speaker beside me all the time, it was an ordeal but Connie was brilliant. She was really good to be fair, we know she is trained for this type of situation but at the time she was fantastic."

Rhyl paramedics Anthony Storey and Stephen Dowber arrived shortly after to look after the family and take mum and child to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.

Kate added: "The ambulance crew who arrived shortly afterwards were fantastic as well, we are both really grateful to them all."

Connie, from Llandudno Junction, explained she was over the moon to see such a positive patient outcome.

She said: "I kept the caller calm and followed protocol to help the baby be delivered. I kept reassuring them that help was on the way and told Gareth he was doing well.

"I felt really good that after being here only a short time, I had helped with a birth and had done my role correctly. Thanks to the experience I know now that I can cope under pressure!"