Drug hope for student in coma

11:31am Tuesday 4th March 2008

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By Jon Reeve »

HAMPSHIRE parents who have kept a 14-month bedside vigil as their son lies in a coma are optimistic the most unlikely of drugs could now help wake him up.

A freak fall on New Year's Eve 2006 left Simon Field in a "minimally conscious" state, but now sleeping pills could be used to help his condition.

Parents Jean and Andy Field are hoping the insomnia drug Zolpidem could trigger the same positive response it has in other patients suffering massive brain injuries.

Health experts say the medication is an exciting development in treating people in comas, but warn that it does not work for everyone.

But Jean and Andy, of Meadow Grove, Chandler's Ford, are hoping that the sleeping pills could stir improvements in Simon, 21, who is now being cared for at a specialist hospital in Surrey after 11 months at Southampton's Wessex Neurological Unit.

As reported in the Daily Echo last year, the Saints fan was discovered by a policeman lying unconscious in a Bournemouth road after apparently tripping on an 18in drop to the pavement in a car park.

A second year archaeology and prehistory student at Bournemouth University, he had been out celebrating with friends.

He has since shown some signs of response by opening his eyes during conversation and even smiling at the sight of the family's pet dog, Cairo, but his injuries are severe.

So when the possibility of the Zolpidem treatment was put to them, his parents jumped at the chance.

"We're not getting our hopes up, but we've got nothing to lose," said Jean.

"It may just be that they can bring his level of consciousness up, but you just don't know.

"Even if they can raise it just a little bit, that gives them another platform to build on."

"We've just got to hope he can improve one way or another."

Staff at the Holy Trinity Hospital are still assessing Simon after his arrival in November.

Dr Andy Eynon, director of Southampton General Hospital's Wessex Neurological Unit, put the Fields in contact with the specialist behind the pioneering treatment.

"It doesn'twork for everybody, and is by no means proven, but it is new and interesting and one of the most exciting developments," he said.