Patient returns to thank staff who saved his life

A recovering Covid-19 patient has visited staff on respiratory ward 222 exactly a year after he was discharged to say thank you. Retired university lecturer David Thomas contracted Covid-19 last year and after getting progressively more ill was rushed to Royal Stoke by ambulance. Since leaving hospital David has been gradually getting fitter and on the first anniversary of his discharge he returned to present a gift to those who saved his life.

David and wife Anita presented staff with a large box of chocolates as a gift from Rotary.

David said: "When we arrived at Ward 222 Dr Asa‘ari and his team came out into the corridor to say hello, find out how I’d been and generally admire their handywork. It was genuinely a pleasure and a privilege to be able to gift them a small token of gratitude.”

David’s admission to hospital came just days after the first lockdown restrictions were imposed across the UK. He had Covid-19 symptoms and was diagnosed with double pneumonia.

David said: “We were really shocked that I could be so ill as I’ve no underlying illness. Visiting the ward was really humbling and poignant.”