Fife paramedic reunited with family after three months apart during pandemic

A Newburgh paramedic has described the moment he was reunited with his family - after three months apart during the coronavirus pandemic.

Jamie Brannan, 41, made the decision in late March to protect his wife Louise - who is immunosuppressed - and six-year-old daughter Jessica.

Speaking to Kingdom FM News (video above), he said he and his wife discussed the possibility of him moving out for around a week before he actually did.

They stayed apart until the middle of last month, by which point restrictions had been eased.

During his time away, he stayed in a flat and was able to make daily visits most of the time when he wasn't on shift, keeping his distance and avoiding all contact.

He never went into the family home and even when it was raining, he stood outside and spoke from the other side of the window.

Jamie also recalled the moment he had to stop his daughter from giving him a hug on his first visit and spoke of the look of confusion and sadness on Jessica's face.

Two years ago, Louise became sick with sepsis and Jamie had found her unconscious.

She slipped into septic shock and was rushed to hospital.

Louise was in an induced coma for 24 hours, but she did wake up from it and went on to make a recovery.

Despite this, Louise still has a weak immune system.

Jamie and Louise have been together for 15 years and he said it was a shock to both of them to be apart for nearly 11 weeks.

The paramedic is based at Perth Ambulance Station.