Video: Joy as pensioner leaves hospital after three weeks on ventilator

Brian Herd was on a ventilator for three weeks, with his family fearing the worst, but he has now left hospital to a round of applause from NHS Fife staff.

He was taken by ambulance to the Victoria Hospital on Sunday March 15, with a bad cough, sickness and diarrhoea. Two days later he tested positive for covid19.

The 70-year-old, already had asthma and a heart condition.

His daughter said via social media that the family was “in shock, filled with fear and a little hope”.

However, Cassandra Murray added: “Deep down the family knew that if anyone had the dogged determination required to defeat this evil virus then dad was the man for the job.”

Brian was then admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, and put on a Ventilator to take over his breathing.

Cassandra said that she saw her dad slowly deteriorating, medics told her that the longer he spent on a ventilator, the less chance he would have of coming off.

However, he began to respond to treatment, and after 51 days in hospital - 22 of which were spent in Intensive Care, and 21 on a Ventilator – Brian walked triumphantly out of hospital to rapturous applause on Monday, May 4.

Brian said: “They staff in the hospital were extremely inspirational and encouraging.

“Our whole family appreciates everything that the nurses, cleaners, catering staff and everyone else has done for us.

“The staff were always smiling and they can never do enough for you.

“I cannot think of the words to express my true appreciation for what they do.

“They are the great in Great Britain.

“I would like to give special mention to Hamish the physio.

“I never got to see him when I left but he was brilliant and set me a recovery programme to follow which I have been – a top bloke.”

NHS Fife Chief Executive, Carol Potter, said: “We were delighted to receive an update from Mr Herd’s daughter and it is fantastic to hear that he has made great strides in his recovery journey.

“Mr Herd was the first covid19 patient in Fife to be discharged from hospital after spending time on a ventilator and you can see in the video how much it means to our staff to see him leave hospital to continue his recovery at home.

“Everyone at NHS Fife wishes Mr Herd and his family all the best for the future and we hope that he has been able to view all of the positive messages and comments that have flooded in since his story was shared.”