Eighty-three-year-old John Lees has praised Tameside Hospital staff for his care as he battles back against Covid after the illness tragically claimed the life of his wife Doris.

John was taken into Tameside Hospital in July with the illness just one day after his wife had been admitted with Covid.

Sadly she passed away in the ward next to John who was not expected to survive, but he has bravely battled back and was able to return to his Ashton home in September.

Now back up and out again walking his grandson’s dog Ralph, he has praised the incredible care he received after being admitted to Tameside Hospital.

“I could not have been looked after any better - it was as if I were a king,” he says.

John says the family had called an ambulance to their home on Princess Street and the crew thought Doris may have Covid. They took her to hospital where she was admitted.

The very next day John’s son took him to A&E and he too was admitted as he gradually found it more and more difficult to breath and it was confirmed he too had Covid.

John was put on oxygen and described the oxygen mask as making him ‘look like a spaceman’.

“It wasn’t nice and was uncomfortable and I had to sleep in it,” he explained.

Recovering: John gives staff the thumbs up in hospital.

He suffered with discomfort from the mask and then with a rash on his back, but praised the nursing staff for their endless care and concern in treating him and easing his discomfort.

Gradually the length of time John had to wear the mask was reduced.

John lost two stone while fighting off the illness. At first he was unable to even walk after weeks of being in bed and it was all he could manage just to sit up in a chair.

Tragically his wife Doris, also 83, passed away from the illness in July.

But John said: “Touchingly one nurse cuddled me for three quarters of an hour after my wife passed when they told me the news.

“While later another nurse brought in a laptop on his day off and sat with me so I could watch the funeral as obviously I couldn’t attend.” 

It was moments and thoughts like that which John says helped him through the ordeal.

“Too often the health staff are criticised but I don’t know why. The doctors, nurses and all of the staff at the hospital are fantastic.

“They all deserve a medal - everyone thought I was going to die.

“The cleaning ladies do a fantastic job too and without them the place would just shut down and they would always say hello and chat to me.

“The food was excellent too and it was like being in a hotel.”

He praised the menu choice, but said he always had fish and chips on Fridays.

Back home John says friends, family and neighbours have all rallied round as his health gradually improves again.

Once well enough John organised a thank you party for a number of the nurses who had cared for him at Dumamis Christian Church in Failsworth. 

John and Doris would have celebrated 60 years of marriage together in October this year. 

BACK HOME: John with his wedding day picture.

They met at church and made their home in Ashton, Doris originally coming from Droylsden.

Doris had worked as a secretary for Courtaulds (Christy) the towel makers when they were based in Droylsden before becoming a mum, while John worked for Britannia Fencing, where he was involved in health and safety.

They spent a lot of their lives involved in church life, John as a Sunday school teacher and youth leader and they went on many Christian camps together.

“We have always loved working with children and Doris and I were involved in the Tameside Loves Reading project visiting schools to read to youngsters before lockdown,” explained John.

Doris was also a volunteer for Age Concern for 20 years.

The considerable extent of their voluntary work even took them to Uganda to help establish a school for orphans through their church.

John has two sons, three grandchildren and one great grandchild with all of the family rallying round John to ensure he will have a special Christmas.

They also have an ‘extended’ family, ‘adopting’ a Nigerian family who came to the UK as asylum seekers and who have settled in Denton.

But this Christmas John’s message is to all the staff who cared for him at Tameside Hospital, simply to say ‘thank you’.

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