Patient keeps it in the family with Westmead ED brother

When Hazel Nicole was rushed to Westmead Hospital’s emergency department suffering a cardiac arrest, she had no idea her brother Alister Nicole would be working that night, let alone heading up the busy ED.

Alister was the team leader during the August 1 evening shift when Hazel entered the ED – but he quickly went from nurse to brother.

“I didn’t even think of jumping in to help, I just got out of the way and let the staff take care of her,” he said.

“I knew that she was in the best hands.”

Hazel’s partner Daniel Kovacevic had administered CPR before she arrived at the hospital – a fact emergency department Dr Danielle Unwin said had ultimately helped save her life.

“He is the real hero here; it was just lucky he knew how to do it,” she said.

Hazel, who is still receiving twice-weekly dialysis in Westmead Hospital, thanked the ED staff who looked after her, along with her brother, who offered ample moral support.

Go team!