Coronavirus patient, 90, praises 'amazing' NHS hospital staff after beating virus to return home
A 90-year-old patient has praised hospital staff after he overcame the coronavirus.
William Dobie, from Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, has returned home after beating COVID-19.
He was treated on an intensive care ward in Blackpool Victoria Hospital after testing positive for the disease.
He spoke as prime minister Boris Johnson remains in intensive care in a London hospital, where he is said to be “stable” and not using a ventilator.
Dobie, a retired company director, went into hospital with a urine infection but was tested for coronavirus and the result came back positive.
“It was a bit of a worrying time obviously but the staff were amazing,” he told the Blackpool Gazette.
The trust said he is the first male from the Fylde coast in Lancashire to be discharged from the hospital after suffering from coronavirus. He is now self-isolating at home.
“I went in because I had a urine infection but they tested me for coronavirus and it proved positive,” he said.
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“I was originally in intensive care but then moved to the isolation ward and treated superbly.
“A few years ago, I had a cardiac procedure at the hospital and I said then that I would never hear a bad word said about the NHS ever again.
“This time they surpassed that again and I can’t praise the staff enough.
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“The care they gave me was out of this world and I’m over the moon to be going home.”
Dobie is a former captain at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club and still plays there regularly.
He had played a round of golf when he fell ill and a few days later was suffering from a high temperature, before he was taken to hospital.
He said: “I hope my story gives people encouragement at what I know is a worrying time.”
Dr Jim Gardner, medical director at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to hear William’s positive story.
“I would like to thank him for his kind comments about the people who cared for him.
“I would like to join William in praising our staff who throughout the trust are going above and beyond for patients in these challenging times.”
