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Apr 2020

Harrogate

Harrogate mayor's wife hopeful to return home from coronavirus intensive care

Published: 7 Apr 2020, 16:35 BST

by Connor Creaghan

The mayor of Harrogate and his wife April have thanked NHS staff from the cleaners to the consultants.

Harrogate's Mayor Cllr Stuart Martin with his wife April.

The mayor of Harrogate has spoken about the emotional moment he had to say goodbye to his wife as she was taken to intensive care with coronavirus.

April Martin first developed a cough and a temperature before she started having trouble breathing. The NHS 111 service told the couple to self-isolate back in mid-March.

Councillor Stuart Martin today told the Stray Ferret April's condition deteriorated last week before he called the ambulance to take her to Harrogate hospital.

"I had to say goodbye to her in the ambulance and I didn't know whether or not I would ever see her again. I have still been able to speak to her on the phone. It's not the same as being with her but I understand why I can't go to the hospital."

April is still on oxygen at the hospital but the consultant is said to be hopeful that she could be back home in the next few days.

"April and I would like to thank the NHS staff from the cleaners to the consultants. We are keen to thank all of them and wish them all the best, we are so grateful for all of their skills and efforts. If they hadn't taken April to hospital last week, we would be having a very different conversation."