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Coronavirus Kent: High Halstow grandad thanks Medway Maritime Hospital doctor who saved his life on Good Morning Britain

A grandad has been reunited with the doctor who saved his life on live television.

Roy Ives from High Halstow, near Rochester, battled coronavirus at Medway Maritime Hospital.

High Halstow grandad speaks to Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain

After the 76-year-old recovered, he thanked his NHS "angels" who helped him recover.

He was taken to the hospital in Gillingham on Friday, March 20 and spent just under a week under the care of the High Dependency Unit.

Roy's family were told to prepare for the worst, but the Goodwood Close resident lived to tell the tale.

This morning, Mr Ives appeared alongside his wife Marjorie on Good Morning Britain for a tearful reunion with Dr Hetti, who works at the hospital in Windmill Road.

Before Dr Hetti – whose full name is Dr Gihan Hettiarachchi – joined the discussion, Roy, a retired postman, told presenters Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid: "The doctor, Dr Hetti, was a fantastic man I've got to be honest with you.

"The staff, the nurses – well, I call them nurses, they are angels without wings – they are absolutely fantastic and the treatment they gave me was second-to-none.

"The hospital, Medway Maritime High Dependency Unit, I just can't fault them.

"I haven't got enough words to say to them; thank you."

Mr Morgan asked whether Roy thought Dr Hetti saved his life and he responded: "Without a doubt, no two ways about it."

Dr Hetti said to Roy: "Your attitude, a sort of, stoic calmness was really helpful for the other patients and the staff to feel that actually we were going to see our patients get better from this and you were going to get through the other side."

He also commented on how Roy's appearances in the press had lifted the spirits of those working in the hospital.

The pair vowed to share a glass of wine together once the outbreak was over.

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