A heroic NHS nurse who was put on a ventilator after being struck down with Covid-19 has returned to work – at the same hospital which saved her life.
Brave Millie Magadlela, 59, was placed in the critical care unit of the hospital where she works in late March after testing positive for the deadly disease.
She spent around two weeks fighting for her life on the ICU before being discharged – in an emotional moment which was caught on camera.
After continuing her recovery at home in the weeks and months since the mum-of-two finally returned to work at University Hospital of North Tees on Thursday (Aug 6).
She said: “I’m thrilled to be back after four long months at home recovering.
“Although a bit apprehensive about how my first day back would be, I can say it’s been lovely to get back into a routine and I’ve loved seeing all my colleagues and friends.
“I had a warm welcome on the ward by everyone.
“They were all so happy to see me back, saying ‘you look amazing’ and ‘you look great’.
Made my day
“That made my day and my anxiety started to ease and I became more relaxed.”
Millie, who works in the surgical decision unit at the Stockton-on-Tees hospital, started feeling unwell on March 29 after returning home following a shift.
Over the next few days she developed more coronavirus symptoms and was taken by ambulance to University Hospital of North Tees, where she was treated by her colleagues.
Millie, a nurse of 39 years, was on a ventilator for three days and in the intensive care unit for more than two weeks.
A video shot in mid April shows the mum being wheeled out of the unit to a rapturous round of applause from the doctors and nurses who treated her.
A short time later Millie, who is from Stockton-on-Tees, was allowed to return home and continue her recovery, before returning to work last week.
She said: “To be back at work has given me a huge boost for my mental, physical and emotional health.
“I was a bit tired when I got home at the end of the shift and I’d already been informed by our occupational health team that I would feel a little more tired due to post COVID-19 fatigue.
Thank everyone
“I’d like to thank everyone who supported me before and during my illness.
“The medical staff who cared for me, my friends, family and colleagues who stood by me and for the hundreds of lovely comments on social media from people I haven’t met but all wished me well.”
Deepak Dwarakanath, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust’s Medical Director, said: “Welcome back Millie.
“We’re thrilled Millie has recovered and is now back with us, doing the job she has some 40 years’ experience in.
“Millie is a highly valued and skilled nurse and I know the whole Trust joins me in welcoming her back ‘home’.”
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