An islander whose father’s life was saved thanks to the expert care of a specialist heart unit in Saint Malo has called on the Government to develop closer medical links with France.
Toby Clyde-Smith – whose dad Kevin suffered a serious heart attack just outside the Breton port while on a cycling holiday with friends last June – said he remained perplexed as to why Jersey didn’t utilise the services of Saint Malo, which he had discovered has a world-class cardiology centre and an emergency response helicopter.
Mr Clyde-Smith said the doctor treating his father – who has made a full recovery – had told him that the French hospital had reached out to Jersey to offer their services but had yet to receive a reply.
The Health Department told Express that they continue to develop partnerships with other providers, including those in France.
Mr Clyde-Smith said: “Historically, we are not Britain and we are not France but we are both, culturally, historically and geographically. However, I do not see any evidence of us taking advantage of that.
“Yes, we have a relationship with John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford but we have another specialist hospital a lot closer, and – as I’ve discovered – when it comes to a heart attack, every minute matters.”
He continued: “If my dad would have had his heart attack in Jersey, he would have died. But when I spoke to the specialist in Saint Malo when my dad was in hospital there, he told me that he had emailed Health in Jersey many times but had never received a reply.
“The only reason I can think of for not teaming up with Saint Malo is cost but, if that is the case, please share the cost-benefit analysis because it doesn’t make sense to me.
“No one seems willing to grip this: there does not seem to be any political motivation to explore links with France.”
In response, Claire Thompson, Chief Operating Officer of Acute Services at Health, said: “During 2025, Health and Care Jersey has continued to develop its strategic relationships with healthcare providers in the UK, Channel Islands, Crown Dependencies and France.
“This has included discussions regarding emergency scenarios and elective pathways. This work continues.”
Recalling the days before and after his father’s heart attack in June 2024, Mr Clyde-Smith said: “Dad was on a cycling holiday with four friends, including John Howell, who is a retired GP, and dentist Peter Richardson.
“My dad’s case is a miracle: he felt a bit odd that morning but if he had pulled out and stayed in Jersey, he would have died because the island would have been unable to treat him.”
The group of friends left Saint Malo port and were cycling along the beach front to the east of the walled town when Mr Clyde-Smith found himself out of breath and in need of a sit down.
They stopped at a café, where Mr Clyde-Smith had a glass of milk, but he then collapsed after suffering a serious heart attack. The café owner immediately called the emergency responders.
Drs Howell and Richardson started to carry out CPR, with Dr Richardson calling out the names of Mr Clyde-Smith’s three children to keep time and to focus his energies. The two friends did not stop, ensuring that blood continued to flow into Mr Clyde-Smith’s brain.
Fortunately, a lifeguard was nearby who came with a defibrillator, which started the heart.
The ambulance also had a defib, which was used to keep the heart pumping.
Mr Clyde-Smith, who was 72 at the time, had what is commonly known as a ‘widowmaker’s heart attack’, meaning that his largest coronary artery was blocked – but within 30 minutes of collapsing, he was in hospital having a stent fitted.
His son, meanwhile, was on holiday with his family in Domaine des Ormes, a popular resort between Dol de Bretagne and Combourg familiar to many Channel Islanders.
He said: “I obviously rushed over and a couple of hours later I was alongside dad, who was a bit bewildered and confused. It’s fair to say that all his friends were in shock too. This sort of thing take time to process.
“Dad was in hospital for a week and I soon discovered that it is one of the top cardiology units in Europe.
“Fortunately, in the days before they travelled, Peter had come round to insist dad printed off an attestation certificate, which covered the costs.
“The quality of care he received was unbelievable and he has made a full recovery. Only one in ten people who have this type of heart attack survive and a tiny percentage of those make it through with no neurological or physiological impact. And dad was one of those.
“We went back a year later – this June – and the group of five completed the cycle ride, which included stopping at the café, and having a tearful reunion with its owner.”
Two patrons who had been at the café a year before also happened to be there this June and were deeply moved by the return of Mr Clyde-Smith and his friends and family.
His father’s sudden illness and welcome recovery has prompted Mr Clyde-Smith into action, which included sharing this story at the launch of political movement Value Jersey earlier this year.
He said: “I have asked lots of people why Jersey doesn’t take advantage of the expertise in Saint Malo and no one has been able to give me a clear answer. We need to see more accountability from our leaders.”