Senior West Midlands Police officer leaves hospital
The wife of Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby, of West Midlands Police, has spoken out as the senior officer left hospital and returned home following a battle with coronavirus.
Mary Dolby said her husband is "alive and back with us".
She said: "There were times we feared there would be no homecoming for Phil. The doctors and nurses have saved his life and we’ll be forever grateful.”
Superintendent Dolby was admitted to Worcester Royal Hospital on 29 March and placed on a ventilator in intensive care as he was unable to breathe for himself.
He spent around a fortnight in intensive care, most of the time heavily sedated.
Mary admits there were times she expected a call from hospital staff confirming her worst fears – but thankfully Phil pulled through and yesterday (21 April) returned home to be with his family.
With the government restrictions extended for another three weeks, she’s urging people across the West Midlands to stay at home to save lives – and warned their experience shows Covid-19 can strike down people of all ages.
Mrs Dolby said that her husband "would certainly not fall into what’s deemed the ‘vulnerable’ category."
She said: "He’s only 45 and a fit man. Our experience shows people of all ages can be susceptible to coronavirus so please adhere to the warnings.
“We can’t express enough our gratitude for the doctors and nurses at Worcester Royal. Without their care and medical expertise, we wouldn’t be welcoming Phil back home. I can’t put into words how thankful we are.”
Dad-of-three Phil – who heads up the Criminal Justice Department – has worked with West Midlands Police for 26 years.
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