Croydon’s first intensive care patient discharged after COVID-19 recovery
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust celebrated yesterday (Monday 13 April) as local resident Mrs Jothy Kesavan heads home after recovering from COVID-19 from the hospital’s intensive care unit.
51-year-old Mrs Kesavan is the Trust’s first patient with COVID-19 to be discharged from intensive care, after she was admitted to Croydon University Hospital on 17th March.
Croydon resident Jothy Kesavan is applauded by healthcare staff as she leaves our care having recovered from COVID-19 after almost 30 days in intensive care
Speaking about the care she received, Mrs Kesavan said:
“I’d like to thank all of the staff at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust for their endless compassion. The sacrifices you are making on our behalf in light of these unprecedent challenges are truly breath-taking. I feel blessed to have been in your care and will never forget you all. You saved my life.
“For most of my 30 odd days in hospital I was under heavy sedation, but when awake, I simply remember the kindness the nurses showed me. I remember for example my hair being tangled up in knots and two kind nurses taking time out of their busy schedules to untangle it for me. They were just so kind and the level of support was second to none.
“The NHS is doing an amazing job and the best way we can honour the dedication of all of the staff is to keep following the Government’s guidance and stay at home.”
Mrs Kesavan’s husband, Jason added:
“There are no words that can express the level of gratitude I have for the staff at Croydon University Hospital. When you saved my wife’s life, you saved my life too and the lives of our family and friends who all love her so much. Thank you all.”
Elaine Clancy, Chief Nurse for Croydon who is leading the Trust’s response to COVID-19 said:
“We’re delighted to see Mrs Kesavan return home to her loved ones today and wish her all the best in her continued recovery.
“Our teams of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, both in our intensive care units and on our wards are working around the clock to ensure that all of our patients get the best possible care and I’m very proud of all of their efforts.
“Mrs Kesavan’s incredible recovery, alongside the hundreds of other patients with COVID-19 that we have already successfully discharged, reinforces our continued hope for all of those affected.”
Over 300 patients have already discharged from Croydon University Hospital after receiving treatment for COVID-19 and the Trust continues to care for many more patients, both in its inpatient wards and in the local communities.
Alongside hundreds of other hospitals around the country, Croydon’s NHS has significantly increased the number of critical care beds it has available for patients, in order to provide the best possible care for patients living in the borough.
Elaine continued:
“From our doctors and nurses to our radiographers and therapists, right through to our estates and IT teams, every area of the Trust is going above and beyond to ensure that we are able to continue to care for both our patients with COVID-19 and those with other illnesses.
“I’m incredibly inspired by the work of Team Croydon as we continue to respond to these unprecedented challenges.”