Two Covid-19 patients have left a hospice and care home, to a round of applause, after beating the coronavirus.

Last week Alan Mason left Amherst Court care home in Chatham, and Simon Burridge was discharged from the Wisdom Hospice in Rochester after both men recovered from their battle with Covid-19.

Alan Mason leaving Amherst Court to a round of applause after beating Covid-19. Video: Medway Community Healthcare Twitter

Last Monday, Medway Community Healthcare staff rang the bell for Alan Mason as he left the Endeavour Suite at Amherst Court, a standalone stroke unit, where he was undergoing stroke rehabilitation.

Alan not only survived the coronavirus but is also recovering from a stroke and currently fighting lung cancer.

On Friday, January 24, Alan arrived at the unit, bed-bound, needing full nursing care and therapy following his stroke, it was after this that he then contracted the coronavirus.

Alan said: "The staff have all been amazing, from top to bottom, they are all amazing! Thank you.”

Chris Gedge, Head of Stroke Services at MCH said: “As a Head of service supporting teams at this very difficult and emotional time, it brings me so much joy to see such positivity, care and compassion demonstrated day-in, day-out.

"Patients still need rehabilitation after a stroke and I am so thrilled we have been able to support Alan to go home!”

Staff on the unit lined up to applaud Alan as he left the hospital.

Ward Manager, Bobi Thomas, said: “Alan wanted to share his story to give hope to other patients who have underlying conditions and test positive for Coronavirus.

"Alan already had a life-limiting lung condition when he suffered his stroke and lost his mobility.

"He fought through it all with a positive attitude and wonderful sense of humour and has been an inspiration to staff and patients.

"All the staff on Endeavour will remember him fondly and wish him all the very best for the future.”

Amherst Court provides respite care. It also offers 24-hour care and support for people living with dementia.

Simon Burridge leaving the Wisdom Hospice after recovering from the coronavirus. Video: Medway Community Healthcare Twitter

Simon Burridge was also discharged from the Wisdom Hospice, in Rochester, after recovering from Covid-19. His family were there to join in the round of applause by staff.

Although Simon is battling multiple cancers, he has now beaten Covid-19 after arriving at the hospice on Monday, April 13, admitted from Medway Hospital, coronavirus positive and for symptom review.

Simon said: “From the time I was brought in to the Wisdom Hospice by patient transport from Medway Hospital, the people in the hospice have gone well beyond my expectation's of care, I cannot thank these people enough!”

Jill Woodbridge, Ward Manager, at the hospice said: “It is a very difficult and emotional time for everyone but it is great to see such positivity, care and compassion demonstrated day-in, day-out by our dedicated team.

"I am so thrilled we have been able to support Simon to go home!”

Staff on the unit lined up to applaud Simon as he left the hospice where he was met at the exit for an emotional reunion by his wife and children.

Tracey Rayner, Specialist Counsellor, spent most days on the ward with Simon and said “It goes to show that working in team partnership and supporting patients emotionally, mentally and physically enables them to retain their inner resources and resilience.

"When people are very poorly we notice that this can be hindered so supporting them from a psychosocial aspect holistically creates a wholeness for their total wellbeing.
"Simon fought through it all and did not think he would leave the hospice.

"He has been an inspiration to staff and patients."

Simon is one of two patients to have left the Wisdom Hospice after recovering from coronavirus.

The Wisdom Hospice and the community palliative care teams are currently operating as normal, however visiting is no longer permitted at the hospice, to protect our patients and staff.

This good news follows on from several other patients that have left hospitals to rounds of applause after beating Covid-19.

Peter Ananicz left Maidstone hospital to cheers after being hospitalised with the coronavirus for a total of 17 days.

A man from Dartford also received a round of applause after being Darent Valley Hospitals first coronavirus positive patient to leave intensive care.

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