'They saved my life': Long-Covid patient pays tribute to staff at Coalville Hospital

Kully Sidki spent eight weeks in three different hospitals, including five weeks on a ventilator.

A year later, he is still feeling the effects of long Covid.

"I don't feel as agile as I used to and I'm not as active as I used to be due to the nerve damage I suffered", Kully said.

"But I do feel that I'm 95% of the way there."

To try to repair the nerve damage, Kully has been receiving ongoing physiotherapy support on the phone, by video conference, and more recently in person. He is also due to go to a specialist long Covid clinic in London.

“There’s not one day that’s gone by when I have not thought about the support and help that I received from the NHS from all the healthcare professionals across the board, and they have really helped me back on to my feet. But I want to say a very big thank-you to Coalville Community Hospital for the support and help that they gave me, and now that we are opening back up again I will be going back to see them to say thank-you in person.”

Kully spoke to Fosse107 to say thank you:

It was a tough two months in hospital with doctors fearing Kully would not make it at one point. Throughout the period his family were not able to visit due to restrictions.

He said: “I had really missed my wife and my children so much. Seeing them was a beautiful experience and I was so lucky that I managed to come back from my ordeal."

Maria Warden, matron at Coalville Community Hospital, said: “We would welcome him back with open arms. He was so determined to recover, he was inspirational. It would be fabulous to see him.”

Fiona Myers, director of Community Health Services for Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, said: “We are proud of all our staff across our community hospitals and the part they’ve played, and continue to play, in supporting patients in our local NHS response to the pandemic. We wish Kully all the best for the future. Please do play your part in protecting our NHS and take up the vaccine when it is your turn.”