Coronavirus survivor says thank you to NHS Borders

A man who spent 10 days in hospital after contracting coronavirus has thanked NHS Borders staff.

Gary Smith was admitted to the Borders General Hospital, in Melrose, after falling ill with flu symptoms.

He tested positive for the virus and spent ten days in the intensive care ward thinking that he wouldn't pull through. "It felt like 20 stone was on my chest, it was a really worrying time", he told ITV Border.

Gary, who is 61, said the hardest thing about being in hospital with the virus was not seeing his family. He said: "I reassured them that I was in the right place because, at the Borders General, they were absolutely fantastic.

"From the cleaners, right up to the doctors that prescribed the drugs. I didn't think that I was going to come out of there."

Gary continued: "To be fair, I'm one of the lucky ones. I've lost friends to this coronavirus, it's been horrendous. But all the staff at Borders General Hospital are none stop. I can't believe how they are handling it all.

"When I left the hospital, I got a standing ovation from the nurses which was very emotional. The biggest part for me was seeing my family at the door to take me home.

"My brother said to me 'you can't stop fighting, you've got a family to go home to' - I just want to say thank you to the National Health Service and the Borders General Hospital. Thank you very much."

Gary left hospital on the 14 April. Staff who took care of him gathered in the corridors and clapped as he walked out of the ward wearing a protective surgical mask.

He is now at home and recovering well.

ITV is dedicating Thursday 16 April to NHS staff fighting coronavirus, celebrating the unsung heroes in our health service across the channel's programmes.

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