CLOT-BUSTING drugs used for treating heart problems are no longer stocked at WGC's QE2 Hospital. The news emerged after Welwyn Hatfield councillor Jon Beckerman nearly died after being taken ill

CLOT-BUSTING drugs used for treating heart problems are no longer stocked at WGC's QE2 Hospital.

The news emerged after Welwyn Hatfield councillor Jon Beckerman nearly died after being taken ill last week.

Cllr Beckerman was taken to the QE2 by wife Carol last Thursday suffering from high blood pressure.

But after a scan revealed a clot, he was told there were no clot-busting drugs available and he would need to go to the Lister by ambulance instead.

The 59-year-old Sherrards ward councillor said: "We got as far as Welwyn on the A1 when I had a cardiac arrest so, technically, I was dead."

Fortunately paramedics were able to restart his heart and he was given an emergency operation on arrival at the Lister, before being discharged two days later.

Cllr Beckerman, who lives in Woolmer Green, praised the doctors and nurses who looked after him.

"The hospital staff at the QE2, the ambulance service and the staff at the Lister were amazing," he said.