Ambulance worker's second chance

By Jane Elliott
Health reporter, BBC News

Nick lost an eye in the attack

When ambulanceman Nick Horobin lost an eye in an attack eight years ago it looked as if his work as a carer was over.

He had to retire as an ambulance technician and, although he spent some time operating the ambulance switchboard, he desperately missed his job and working with the public.

Now he hopes to get a second chance at a frontline caring career as he retrains as a nurse - something he has always dreamed of and paid for by compensation he received after his attack.

Waiting for results

Now he has been told that he has a university place, starting next March, at Staffordshire University.

"It feels brilliant to finally be on the road to a career again, it's three years down the line and it will be hard work, but it will be worth it in the end.

I have seen medicine from both angles now and have a good idea what it is like to be a patient Nick Horobin

"All I have ever wanted to do is achieve and be the best that I can be.

"I decided to delay starting the course until March because my second child is due in September."

Nick has been told that although the loss of his eye prevents him from driving as an ambulance technician, it will not exclude him from a career in nursing.

"You can't drive an ambulance with one eye, but there are no restrictions like this with nursing.

"They know about my disability and say there is no problem at all with me having just one eye.

"I am looking forward to working back with patients, hopefully in intensive care or something on the frontline.

"I am really positive about that now.

"I have seen medicine from both angles now and have a good idea what it is like to be a patient.

"I just want to get back into it.

"I work now in a care home and I definitely have more empathy because I know what certain things feel like."

The accident

Nick, aged 37 and from Uttoxeter, was injured when thugs threw a concrete block through the window of the ambulance he was driving, causing it to swerve and crash over a hedge.

His right eyeball ruptured and had to be removed and he had several skull fractures, necessitating 18 plates in his skull.

Nick at work before the accident

"I still have some brain damage, some weakness and balance problems," said Nick.

"At the time I also had co-ordination and speech problems, but they have got better now.

"I was taking a patient to hospital in the ambulance when someone coming the other way threw a brick through the window, a lump of concrete.

"They were lying in wait for someone to come because they knew the best place to do it."

Nick was in hospital for six weeks after the incident and had four operations to try to put the eye back straight - now he has an artificial eye. He may still face further surgery.

Compensation cash

He plans to fund the three-year course with the £100,000 compensation from the accident.

As no-one was ever caught, Nick claimed from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.

Nick initially had offers of £40,000 and £67,000 but rejected them because he did not feel the level of compensation reflected the severity of his injuries.

"I needed £100,000 because that would pay the mortgage off and leave me free of worries when I am not working and on the nursing course."

Tim Slater, the Derbyshire service delivery manager for East Midlands Ambulance Service said: "Nick was in the early stages of what should have been a long and successful career within the ambulance service.

"This was cruelly cut short by the horrific incident, so I am very pleased to learn that Nick has another opportunity to develop a career in what he did so well - caring for others.

"This demonstrates a remarkable strength in character."