Brian Wands underwent multiple life-saving operations, 84 days in intensive care and four weeks in a coma during his seven-month admission to Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
17:07, 05 Jan 2026Updated 18:55, 05 Jan 2026
Brian Wands spent 84 days in intensive care due to the illness(Image: NHSGGC)
A Glasgow patient who spent 84 days in intensive care and four weeks in a coma says he is “forever grateful” for the life-saving care he received. Brian Wands’ life was saved thanks to the care provided by teams at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
Brian, from Hamilton, went through a prolonged, life-threatening illness in 2022 but recently completed his care under the hospital’s nutrition team in September 2025. It came following a seven-month admission which also included multiple life-saving operations and a 95-unit blood transfusion.
He has since written a letter, thanking staff for their fantastic work and helping his recovery. He described the experience as “an extraordinary journey back to health, only made possible through the dedication and collective expertise of the hospital teams.”
He hailed the efforts of staff spanning intensive care, high dependency, and wards 64, 65, and 66 for saving his life and allowing him to return to his family and role as a chief technology officer.
Brian has penned a letter thanking the staff at GRI(Image: NHSGGC)
Among those singled out for special recognition were:
• Mr Euan Dickson, Consultant Surgeon – praised for surgical skill and calm leadership during critical operations.
• Dr Tara Quasim, Intensive Care Consultant – commended for unwavering presence during Brian’s sickest hours and compassionate support for his family through the InS:PIRE clinic.
• Mr Phil Stevens, Consultant Surgeon – acknowledged for managing complex nutritional care and leading recovery surgery.
• Miss Fiona Leitch, Consultant Surgeon – recognised for persistence and attention to detail in resolving complex issues.
• Caroline and the Nutrition/Dietetics Team – thanked for their expertise and empathy throughout a three-year recovery.
• Jill Meldrum and the Physiotherapy Team – credited with helping Brian regain mobility after weeks in a coma.
• Lesley Tough, Staff Nurse – praised for professionalism, encouragement, and emotional support during long months of care.
Brian also praised the wider hospital community, including ICU and HDU teams, nurses, healthcare support workers, dieticians, physiotherapists, pharmacists, theatre and recovery staff, porters, domestic and admin staff, radiology, and phlebotomy teams.
The care has allowed Brian to return to being a husband and dad(Image: NHSGGC)
Reflecting on his health journey, he said: “Thanks to these teams, my wife still has a husband, my children still have their dad, and I have been able to return to my role.
“I think about what happened every single day, and I am profoundly grateful for everything that was done to save me.”
Now, Brian is enjoying milestones he never thought possible such as practising Pilates daily, holding a five-minute plank, and returning to the tennis court. His family is also preparing for their first holiday in three years – all thanks to the life-saving care he received at GRI.