Guernsey Press

Covid-19 patient given 10% chance of surviving thanks NHS after returning home

Paul Hodgskin, 64, was in a coma for 59 days and in hospital for more than 100.

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A Covid-19 patient who has returned home after spending more than 100 days in hospital has spoken of his gratitude to the NHS.

Paul Hodgskin, 64, went into hospital at the end of March and at one point during the six weeks he spent in an induced coma was given just a 10% chance of survival by doctors.

But on Saturday he was finally allowed to return to his home in Shifnal near Telford.

Paul Hodgskin returns home
Paul Hodgskin finally returned home on Saturday (Sue Dhingra/PA)

“Very thankful for the efforts that were put into me and I’ve come out the other side.

“From what I can make out, there aren’t many that spend so long in ICU and come out the other side.”

Mr Hodgskin and his partner, Sue Dhingra, both began feeling unwell towards the end of March.

But while Ms Dhingra suffered no serious repercussions, Mr Hodgskin was taken to hospital on March 31 after being found in a “delirious” state by his partner, having been sick on the floor.

Paul Hodgskin
Mr Hodgskin is learning to walk again after spending nearly six weeks in an induced coma (Sue Dhingra/PA)

“When I first went into A&E, I told everyone there that I wanted to go home,” said Mr Hodgskin, who had no underlying health conditions he was aware of.

“When I first got into ICU, they put a full face mask on me and I thought that was funny and I took a selfie.

“The next thing that’s on my phone is ‘they are going to put me into an induced coma’ and the next entry after that was about six weeks later.”

Paul Hodgskin in hospital
Paul Hodgskin took a selfie when he was first taken to the ICU because he thought the mask looked funny (Paul Hodgskin/PA)

Now he quickly gets short of breath and is having to relearn to walk, while he also has nerve damage in one arm which is expected to clear up within a year.

He currently has visits from carers twice a day as he continues his rehabilitation.

The couple had planned a big summer, having been discussing moving house and getting married before the pandemic struck, but that is all now on hold.

For Ms Dhingra though, she is just delighted to have her partner home.

Sue Dhingra and Paul Hodgskin
Sue Dhingra and Paul Hodgskin had been planning on getting married this summer but that is now on hold (Sue Dhingra/PA)

“I’m running around after him a bit at the moment – I’ve told him it won’t last forever so make the most of it.

“It’s such a relief to have him back because I honestly didn’t believe he was going to come back.”

Ms Dhingra was full of praise for the staff at the three hospitals – the Princess Royal in Telford, the Royal Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth – where her partner was treated, as they kept her informed and regularly passed on messages from family members while they were unable to visit because of lockdown restrictions.

“The staff were brilliant,” she said.

“The care he’s had, we couldn’t fault.

“When things were at their very worst, as a family we said if he didn’t pull through, it wouldn’t be because he didn’t get the care he needed.

“They were great, always kept you informed and were very honest, which helped.”

Mr Hodgskin echoed the praise, calling the medical staff “fantastic”, but said he was glad to finally be home and was looking forward to seeing friends and family.

“When you come home, you can relax a little bit more,” he said.

“I’m really happy to be out.”

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