A specialist hospital team has been recognised for their exceptional care of a young man who suffered life‑threatening complications after taking MDMA, and for the dedicated support they offered his family after he sadly passed away.
Billy Mullin became critically unwell on his 24th birthday in November 2020 after taking a recreational drug also known as ecstasy. He was taken to Worthing Hospital by ambulance and later transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU), where clinicians worked around the clock to stabilise him.
Nicci Parish, Billy’s mum, nominated the team for their dedication and support. She said:
“Whilst Billy was in intensive care, the care for him was incredible, but also the care for us. From the smallest of things, a cup of tea, a blanket, always popping in to say good morning or goodbye to me at the end of the shift whilst I stayed in the family room overnight.”
“He was given just 12 hours to live, and they battled trying everything possible to save him.”
Despite the team’s efforts, including coordinating and transferring Billy to a specialist hospital in London, he tragically passed away the following day.
Six years on, the Worthing ICU team continues to stand alongside Nicci as she works to educate young people about the dangers of recreational drugs. They have joined her on charity walks, offered medical guidance for an educational animation used in schools and colleges, and rallied behind the project when it was nominated for a charity film award.
Nicci adds: “Afterwards, in my grief, I set up a Community Interest Company to help educate young people about the dangers of recreational drugs. This is when the team went totally above and beyond their job roles. We made an animation video of what happened the night Billy took MDMA, and we were lucky to have advice from the doctors to help us make it sound real.”
Dr Luke Hodgson, one of the intensive care consultants at Worthing Hospital who was one of the doctors who cared for Billy and later contributed to the educational film, said:
“We’re really thankful to Nicci for this recognition and for everything she has done and continues to do for the unit. Billy’s story has stayed with all of us, and so supporting Nicci’s work is a way to honour Billy and hopefully prevent other families experiencing such a tragedy.”
Dr Colin Spring, Chief of Service for Critical Care, said the nomination reflects the very best of the team’s values:
“Our colleagues showed exceptional clinical skills during a really difficult time, but what stands out most is their humanity. Their continued care with Nicci and her family is a powerful example of compassion in action, and we are immensely proud of them for winning Star of the Month.”
Nicci now visits the family room weekly and replenishes the stock of hot drinks kindly donated by her company, Billy and Beyond.
“I set up a small hot drinks station so families could make a tea or coffee without having to go far from the unit. When you’re worried, even stepping away for a few minutes feels impossible, so this was a simple way to make things a little easier for others going through a similar thing.” Nicci adds.
The Worthing ICU team has been described as ‘incredible’ not only for the care they provided during the most devastating of days, but for the way they have helped Nicci and her family turn loss into life‑saving education for young people.
Their work truly exemplifies the commitments within our Excellent Care Everywhere strategy, demonstrating values‑led care that supports our patients and communities and has a lasting impact.