"Thank you to all at North Tyneside General"

I was rushed to the I.C.U at North Tyneside General hospital with pneumonia which led to multiple organ failure. My condition was extremely serious and by the second day I had deteriorated so badly that there wasn't too much hope for my survival. I then had an emergency operation for a burst lung, but after that started to make a steady recovery. I was kept anaesthetised for twelve days, and after a few days more was transferred to the High Dependency Unit for five days before eventually returning home later that month.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my extreme gratitude to the doctor, nursing staff and Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust for having done such an amazing job in saving my life. The doctors involved showed great skill and dedication at every stage and the nursing staff were excellent.

I have always been generally fit and rarely needed medical care, so it came as a surprise to find what a wonderful support network the NHS was when I did become ill. The follow-up care has also been impressive. My recovery has been extremely quick; two weeks ago I walked six miles over the Allendale Fells and I am now gradually getting back to work. It could easily have been otherwise!

Thank you.