Son praises Mansfield NHS staff for "amazing" care getting 86-year-old dad through Coronavirus

Christopher Briggs, from Sutton in Ashfield, says his father Eric Briggs’ recovery from the deadly Covid 19 illness was down to the “amazing” doctors, nurses and staff at Kings Mill Hospital.

Eric who has two grandchildren and five great grandchildren is a resident at Sutton Manor care home in Sutton in Ashfield. His wife Rose, 83, is in Sutton Lodge care home next door with advanced dementia.On Sunday, March 15, care home staff noticed Eric appeared to be unwell and called for an ambulance. He was taken to A&E at Kings Mill Hospital.

Christopher, a 58-year-old Public Servant, was contacted at work and told to go to the hospital immediately.

“I arrived there, along with my son Jason and daughter Gemma, and we were allowed to see my dad but we had to wear masks as Covid 19 was suspected, “ said Christopher, from Sutton in Ashfield.

“It was confirmed two days later. My dad was put on oxygen and antibiotics to manage his illness, we were in contact with the hospital every day.

“We were terrified when notified that dad had tested positive, as reports were showing that people his age were seriously at risk of not recovering.

“We were also worried about contracting the virus as prior to confirmation my son, daughter and I had been with dad at his bedside, we were wearing masks but were close and dad was coughing a lot.”

The family had to go into self isolation, and relied on staff to update them on Eric’s condition.

Christopher added: “Thankfully, the care and treatment of my father provided by the staff at Kings Mill was successful and

none of us have had symptoms.

“Whilst in isolation I have been able to contact the ward every day for a full update, the staff have been amazing.”

Yesterday, Thursday (March 26), Eric returned to Sutton Manor and according to Christopher, although he is not quite fully not back to his normal self he is “so much better than he was.”

He added: “We cannot thank the amazing NHS doctors, nurses and staff at Kings Mill Hospital enough.”