Coronavirus survivor reunites with doctor who treated him in emotional call

One of the first coronavirus patients to be treated at a hospital in south Wales has had an emotional reunion with the doctor who helped to save his life.

Jason James, 49, was admitted to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital after suffering from Covid-19 symptoms and less than an hour later, he was being admitted to intensive care.

"If you had left it any longer I don't think you would have been with us", Dr Nerys Conway, a leading consultant at the hospital told Jason during their virtual meeting.

Jason left hospital five weeks ago after spending time in intensive care

"It's difficult to comprehend - I've never taken medication. I usually go to the gym to sweat out a cold and I thought I'd be able to do it again", Jason said.

Jason's wife Hayley received a call from Dr Conway the day he was taken into ICU where she had to explain the severity of his condition.

"I'll never forget that conversation", Dr Conway said. "Jason was the first case of coronavirus I had. Hayley was that first phone call I had to have with that family member that your husband is unwell and he might not survive - it was absolutely horrendous."

Dr Conway has previously spoken to ITV News about the high number of young and fit patients she was seeing being treated for the virus.

Working in one of the areas with the highest number of coronavirus cases in Wales, she also said she is "really worried" about a second, third or "maybe fourth" wave of Covid-19.

Jason said he was 'shocked' to learn how ill he had been

Five weeks on from being discharged, Jason has made a full recovery - but he says the long-term impact of what happened will stay with them both for a long time.

They are receiving support for their mental health as Hayley is experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, and Jason is suffering from memory loss.

"It is frustrating but important for people to understand that it is a long road mentally", Jason said.

"When I saw myself in the mirror and realised how much weight I'd lost I was shocked when I realised how ill I must have been.

Hayley and Jason are both still coming to terms with the experience

"We didn't sleep for two nights", Hayley said. "We sat up holding each others hands. I would dream he had died and then wake up thinking he was dead."

The couple have built a close relationship with Dr Nerys Conway and wanted to thank her and her colleagues for the care Jason received throughout his stay in hospital.

"I lived to tell the tale", Jason said. "I can't thank you enough."

  • See their story on Wales This Week tonight on ITV Wales at 7pm.