A SIXPENNY Handley man says he owes his life to the "amazing" staff at Salisbury District Hospital.

Richard Dennett was in hospital for nearly two weeks and has praised the staff who cared for him.

"I was in a bad way," explains the 54-year-old, who suffers with an incurable autoimmune system disease was taken to hospital after becoming ill last month.

"They did an amazing job. They saved my life. I've got a long way to recovery and walking is quite hard at the moment. Hopefully, I'll get there."

He says he had felt nauseous but "didn't think anything of it" until he started to feel even worse and called 111 as his condition "went downhill very rapidly".

Richard was subsequently taken to hospital by paramedics where he was treated in hospital for E.coli and sepsis and had to be put on oxygen.

He says he is on the road to recovery after being discharged this month and has praised the nurses who cared for him in particular.

"They are outstanding. I don't think people realise how hard they work even I didn't until I was in that environment and seeing it daily," added Richard.

"I'd like to say thank you so much. I owe you my life. I owe the doctors my life as well.

"They were like angels holding my hand and spoke nicely to me when I was panicking and couldn't breathe. They kept me calm. Without that I don't think I would have made it.

"The humanity and kindness they showed as they didn't know me from Adam."

He says they not only cared for him but made sure he had soap and shampoo and clean clothes to go home in.

They even got him some graphic novels and tried to make his stay better by accommodating his autism.

Richard also praised the professionalism shown by the nurses who cared for him and says there were "amazing", adding: "There are no words that can even do justice to what they did for me. I can't thank them enough.

"They deserve a pay rise and all sorts."

As a thank you he bought them a box of chocolates but admits this isn't enough to repay them.

He also praised the hospital's kitchen staff who catered for his food allergies.

"Thank you to everyone - the paramedics, A&E, Durrington Ward and the critical care nurses," said Richard.

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