A PATIENT from Studley has praised a support group set up by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust for coronavirus survivors.

Neil Johnson, aged 54, was discharged from the ICU at Alexandra Hospital in Redditch in May after a battle with Covid-19, and is now openly discussing his experience in a support group.

Patients who have been on ventilators or continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP) machines are now invited to attend virtual video follow up clinics by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust after they have left hospital.

Each clinic provides survivors with support and guidance from a wide range of medical professionals to help each patient return to full physical and mental health.

As well as follow up clinics, staff have introduced virtual support groups that allow patients who have been discharged from an intensive care unit to talk to others who have also gone through that same experience.

This not only includes Covid-19 survivors but anyone who may have been discharged from an intensive care unit.

Mr Johnson said: “The support group is one of the most beneficial things that has happened to me after recovering from Covid-19.

“It gives me a place where I am able to open up about problems I'm experiencing since being on a ventilator and it's a great comfort knowing other people are having the same issues.

“I look forward immensely to the meetings.”

Critical Care consultant Dr Liv Kelsall said: “We are delighted that we can offer both the virtual clinics and support groups to our patients. It is vital that our patients get the necessary support they need to recover from the effects of time spent in ICU.”

“Not only do patients get to interact with our clinical teams but also other patients who have experienced the same thing. Feeling you’re isolated or that no-one understands can make it much harder when processing the trauma of surviving a critical illness like Covid-19.”

Survivors will get to interact with other patients that have been discharged from an Intensive Care Unit, providing them with the opportunity to talk with others who may be further down their recovery journey.

Dr Kelsall added: “Being able to talk with people who have also experienced similar circumstances and actually understand you can help patients a great deal in moving on from the experience and getting their normal lives back.”