Heartwarming moment father-of-four, 48, is applauded by NHS staff as he leaves hospital

This is the heartwarming moment a father-of-four is applauded by NHS staff as he leaves hospital after he was in a coma and his heart stopped twice during his seven week battle with coronavirus. 

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board posted a video of Scott Howell, 48, leaving the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, South Wales, earlier today.

Nurses and doctors line the corridor to clap Mr Howell as he gets pushed on a wheelchair out of the hospital – and he shows his own appreciation by applauding back.

He has now finally returned home to be reunited with his wife and four children after seven weeks on the ward. Mr Howell was the first coronavirus intensive care patient at the frontline hospital. 

Mr Howell said: ‘The staff here saved my life – I was in a coma in intensive care and my heart stopped twice.

‘It was unbelievably fantastic to be in the fresh air and to see my family today.

‘The care I’ve received has allowed me to be a husband and father again and it’s wonderful!’

Intensive care consultant Dr Dave Hepburn described it as a ‘massive lift for staff across the health board’.

‘Scott was as ill as anybody can be, so to see him leaving hospital has been a massive lift for staff across the health board,’ Dr Hepburn said.

‘All the hardship and pressure we are facing at the moment is all worth it when you see people like Scott get better and reunited with their families – it’s the best gift we can receive.’ 

Civil servant Mr Howell, who works at the Office for National Statistics, began to feel ill after a spa day with his wife Helen.

He went to his local hospital with a suspected chest infection and was initially given the all clear but hours later his condition began to deteriorate and he was admitted to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport.           

Mr Howell was in a coma as doctors battled to save his life after he fell seriously ill and spent seven weeks in hospital.

But he has finally been deemed fit enough to leave the ward and be reunited with his family.

He said: ‘My wife hasn’t slept since I was admitted to hospital. The staff helped us to video call each other from my hospital bed so she could see my progress, but to have a hug from my wife and children when I left hospital was fantastic.’

He said he had been ‘one of the lucky ones to come through the darkness of this evil disease’.

Mr Howell added: ‘I still have many months of hard work to get back to being able to use my arms and legs properly but I’m alive.

‘I would like to thank all staff at the Royal Gwent Hospital, especially the medical team in intensive care and physio team who have been outstanding in their professional excellence in saving my life against the odds.

‘Every member of staff I encountered in the hospital including porters, cleaners, physios, doctors and nurses were amazing. The NHS services we have here are as good as any in the world.

‘I will be eternally grateful and thank them with every fibre in my ravaged body. Thanks to all those who prayed, messaged and thought about me as it helped me through. Thank you NHS.’