"A desire to thank those responsible for saving..."

For 1o years prior to 18th December 2017 I was the sole carer for my wife who suffered from advanced Alzheimer's disease. At about 11.30pm on that day having settled my wife For 10 years I had been a sole carer for my wife.On 18th December 2017I was preparing for bed in the bathroom when inexplicably I collapsed. When I regained consciousness I had blood on my head and trouble with moving. I called for my wife but was unable to raise her. Luckily my mobile phone was on the floor and I dialled 999. My memory from them on is blurred. Eventually the emergency ambulance arrived and I was taken to Whipps Cross Hospital. I remember nothing until several days later when my eldest son told me that I was in the High Dependency Unit, had septicemia and that my kidneys were failing. I was delirious and on dialysis. I can remember very little except that the skill of the doctors and nursing care in the HDU was superb.

Eventually I was moved from HDU to wards where the comfort and attention changed. It was very difficult to speak to a doctor or obtain the help of a nurse. Sisters and Staff Nurses were always helpful if one could be found., Those wearing the conventional nurses uniform were few in number but were responsive to requests for assistance. Those in the pink uniforms were in the main unhelpful, quite rude, congregated in groups for chats ignored the patients.There was however the odd one in that uniform group who was extremely good, responsive and helpful. I cannot however fail to say how brilliant in general the consultants, doctors and registered nurses were. None of my family expected me to survive. Now nearly a year on suffering from various problems that I was told to expect I find that I should tell people how great the NHS consultants, doctors and nurses are and the fabulous support they offer.

Regrettably soon after I returned home in February my wife who had been admitted to a care home was admitted to Whipps Cross Hospital in early March and passed away within a week. I make no comment on the care she received.