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26
Apr 2021
Harrogate hospital covid patient finally feels the sun
This is the moment when a coronavirus patient at Harrogate District Hospital was finally able to feel the sun on her face, hear the birds, and smell the flowers after nearly four months in intensive care.
A touching moment as the patient feels the sun on her face. Photo: ICU at Harrogate District Hospital
This is the moment when a coronavirus patient at Harrogate District Hospital was finally able to enjoy the sun after nearly four months in intensive care.
After much planning and collaboration, the intensive care unit team took the patient to the hospital's friends' garden.
The patient, who asked to remain anonymous, was admitted with coronavirus early in January.
Although she still needed the aid of oxygen tanks for last week's first trip outside, the fresh air boosted her recovery.
Dr Sarah Marsh, who is a consultant in anaesthesia and intensive care, said:
"Thankfully they are now at a stage where we are able to safely take them out of the intensive care environment.
"The patient very much enjoyed the visit to the garden to feel the sun on their face, hear the birds, smell the flowers and to look at the sky.
"It also really gave the patient a huge boost and new determination to strive for home.
"She still has a long road ahead in terms of recovery and rehabilitation, but acts like this make such a positive difference in terms of outlook."
Read more:
- More than 95,000 receive first covid vaccine in Harrogate district
- ‘We feel like prisoners’: Harrogate care home resident on isolation rule
The NHS has well-established rehabilitation methods but coronavirus has forced doctors and nurses to rethink their methods.
Harrogate District Hospital has said starting rehabilitation early and trips out to the garden are both part of its arsenal for treating coronavirus.
Vera Davison, physiotherapy team leader, said:
“Being able to take this lady outside has been wonderful. It is helping to motivate her and her family too; they can see progress being made.
"Rehabilitation is hard work and slow progress, so any positive steps towards normality are welcomed.
"It’s really heartening to see people getting better while in hospital and also after they’ve gone home. This really helps us to appreciate that our efforts are really worth it."
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