Islington Tribune - News: Climer saved by surgeon's

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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 1 June 2007

Dr Mike Grocott

Climber saved by surgeon’s team near Everest summit

A SURGEON at Whittington Hospital in Archway has been involved in a remarkable life-saving rescue close to the summit of Everest.
Climber Usha Bista, 22, was near death when she was brought to a medical lab 8,800 metres up the mountain, where Dr Mike Grocott and a team of medics were carrying out ground-breaking research.
They diagnosed a number of life-threatening conditions, including swelling of the brain, severe hypothermia and frostbite. Dr Grocott and his team were on Everest to investigate the effect low oxygen levels have on patients in intensive care.
Speaking via satellite phone, former Whittington Hospital intensive care nurse Kay Mitchell, a member of the team, said: “We had just moved our camp that evening and the lab was set up and there were lots of doctors around. The climber came in and we managed to stabilise her.”
Dr Grocott added: “We were pleased to be able to help. She did not have enough oxygen with her – just one cylinder, which will not get you up and down Everest.”
The £2 million research study has been funded by private enterprise.

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