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Coronavirus: NHS heroes 'are like WW2 Spitfire pilots' Coronavirus: NHS heroes 'are like WW2 Spitfire pilots'
(about 3 hours later)
A man who spent five days in intensive care with coronavirus has compared NHS staff to "the Spitfire pilots of 1940".A man who spent five days in intensive care with coronavirus has compared NHS staff to "the Spitfire pilots of 1940".
Hylton Murray-Philipson, 61, hailed medics for helping him recover after Covid-19 left him "reduced to the state of a baby".Hylton Murray-Philipson, 61, hailed medics for helping him recover after Covid-19 left him "reduced to the state of a baby".
He spent 12 days in total at Leicester Royal Infirmary, after being admitted a day after his father died from a non virus-related illness.He spent 12 days in total at Leicester Royal Infirmary, after being admitted a day after his father died from a non virus-related illness.
As he left hospital, staff gave Mr Murray-Philipson a guard of honour.As he left hospital, staff gave Mr Murray-Philipson a guard of honour.
The sustainable farmer, from Market Harborough, Leicestershire, told BBC Breakfast he had been ill at home with a consistent temperature of 40C (104F), but did not have a particularly bad cough and therefore was not sure if he had Covid-19.The sustainable farmer, from Market Harborough, Leicestershire, told BBC Breakfast he had been ill at home with a consistent temperature of 40C (104F), but did not have a particularly bad cough and therefore was not sure if he had Covid-19.
But on the tenth day of feeling unwell, he was admitted to hospital and a couple of days later was moved to intensive care before being taken to a ward to recover.But on the tenth day of feeling unwell, he was admitted to hospital and a couple of days later was moved to intensive care before being taken to a ward to recover.
Mr Murray-Philipson, who lost 15% of his body weight, said he now appreciates "every little thing", adding "for days I was fantasising about a piece of toast and marmalade. That's enough for me." Mr Murray-Philipson, who lost 15% of his body weight, said he now appreciates "every little thing", adding "for days I was fantasising about a piece of toast and marmalade. That's enough for me".
The father-of-two, who had to celebrated his birthday in hospital, said: "When you are as ill as I was, you are reduced to the state of being a baby, completely dependent on others for every little thing. The father-of-two, who had to celebrate his birthday in hospital, said: "When you are as ill as I was, you are reduced to the state of being a baby, completely dependent on others for every little thing.
"My birthday was an exciting day because by then I was able to sit on a chair beside the bed. That in itself was a giant step forward.""My birthday was an exciting day because by then I was able to sit on a chair beside the bed. That in itself was a giant step forward."
He praised NHS staff, saying: "These really are the heroes of the moment. These are the Spitfire pilots of 1940.He praised NHS staff, saying: "These really are the heroes of the moment. These are the Spitfire pilots of 1940.
"We know how special the NHS is [but] the difference for me is I now know the individuals by name and I want to say thank you to all of those people from the bottom of my heart.""We know how special the NHS is [but] the difference for me is I now know the individuals by name and I want to say thank you to all of those people from the bottom of my heart."
He returned home on Friday and said he was now "taking it day-by-day".He returned home on Friday and said he was now "taking it day-by-day".
"I am trying to put on a bit of weight," Mr Murray-Philipson said."I am trying to put on a bit of weight," Mr Murray-Philipson said.
"I am walking a little bit further every day. I can now walk 300 yards. I am grateful. I don't need steak frites or whatever. It's just the simple things.""I am walking a little bit further every day. I can now walk 300 yards. I am grateful. I don't need steak frites or whatever. It's just the simple things."
Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk.Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk.