Coronavirus: Portsmouth ex-Royal Navy sailor NHS worker recovers after 5 weeks on ventilator

Basil Song, an operating department practitioner at St Mary’s Treatment Centre in Milton, was admitted to Queen Alexandra Hospital at the beginning of April.

He was suffering with breathing difficulties at home when he was taken to the hospital and quickly moved to the intensive care unit where it was confirmed he had Covid-19.

The 64-year-old, who started his medical career in the Royal Navy, was on a ventilator for five weeks and required time on dialysis. He remains in the Cosham hospital two months after his admission.

His wife Sue said staff were frank with her about the likely outcome when three weeks ago they thought they had done all they could.

But thanks to the their determination, Basil has now been moved to the rehab ward and is regaining his strength.

His story comes as Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust told The News more than 360 patients with Covid-19 have recovered and been discharged.

Speaking to The News from hospital, Basil said: ‘My time here has been a bit of a blur but the staff have been phenomenal.

‘When I came off the ventilator and moved wards, they gave me a round of applause which was so lovely.’

Remedial therapist Sue said: ‘The staff at QA are absolute angels and I can’t thank them enough for the miracle they have pulled off.

‘They weren’t sure he would make it and I wasn’t sure I would see my husband again.

‘Being in the navy and working in Portsmouth you don’t go far without meeting people you know and the staff at QA said as friends they really wanted him to pull through but deep down felt it was unlikely as he was over 60, from an Asian background, was a type 2 diabetic and was a little bit overweight.

‘So they really are miracle workers and I can’t say enough about them.’

The pair, who met 11 years ago at the treatment centre in Milton, were overjoyed they could celebrate their seventh wedding anniversary on May 4 over FaceTime.

Volunteers with the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (Pals) put in the work to make it happen.

Sue said: ‘I haven’t seen my husband in nearly two months and that has been so difficult but the staff have been laminating my letters that I have been sending in and reading them to him.

‘It was lovely because it meant they got to know us better and helping us FaceTime on our anniversary was so lovely as I could see his face even though I don’t think he remembers much of it.

‘It just shows how much they care about each patient.’

Basil added: ‘Having those letters meant so much and really boosted me through a very difficult time. It has been hard and exhausting but I am doing well now.’

He is now able to move his arms, his speech has returned, and he is learning to walk again with help from the physiotherapy team.

Susie Calvert is physiotherapy team lead in the intensive care unit. She has been responsible for upskilling more than 30 physios to help out in the unit, including turning people on to their fronts to help respiration.

She said: ‘It is amazing to see Basil’s recovery progress and gives a real boost to the team that we are making a difference.

‘In the last few weeks, we have seen so many patients really turn a corner which is amazing and helps the team as the mood has felt low previously.

‘For some of the physios who aren’t used to dealing with such sick patients, dealing with a concentrated amount of deaths can be difficult but they are doing a great job with managing it all.

‘Once they are into a rehabilitation stage then seeing them using their voice again and being able to sit up and use their arms is lovely. I think the most emotional part is when we can help them speak to their families for the first time and that really gets me.

‘It just shows how your work has really made a difference for someone and their families and that is the best part.’

NHS England figures published yesterday show 222 people had died in hospital at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust.

Public Health England figures show that 316 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 in the Portsmouth City Council area by 9am Tuesday morning (May 26). Across Hampshire 3,289 people have tested positive.

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