A HOSPITAL worker who battled coronavirus at Dorset County Hospital and almost died five times has finally been discharged - leaving to applause and tears during an emotional farewell from the staff who treated him.

A fundraising campaign is now underway to purchase a mobility scooter for Jamie Pritchard, due to the effects of Covid which have left him with just 25 per cent lung capacity.

There has been an outpouring of well wishes and donations made for the 49-year-old during his battle with Covid-19, with more than £2,000 raised so far.

Mr Pritchard, of Portland, was diagnosed with Covid on January 24 after he attended the hospital with chest pain and a high respiratory rate.

His condition suddenly deteriorated, and he was transferred to the hospital’s ICU to improve his breathing and was eventually put into a medically induced coma and onto a ventilator.

Wife told her husband could die during 'complex' coronavirus battle

Dorset Echo: Jamie Pritchard, of Portland, has been discharged from Dorset County Hospital after battling coronavirus for several months. His ex-colleagues have also raised more than £2,000 for him. Picture: Jamie PritchardJamie Pritchard, of Portland, has been discharged from Dorset County Hospital after battling coronavirus for several months. His ex-colleagues have also raised more than £2,000 for him. Picture: Jamie Pritchard

His wife, Julie, also 49, was told to ‘prepare for the worst’ by doctors.

She said: “He needed maximum oxygen so in the early hours of February 8, they made the decision that Jamie should be put into a medical induced coma and was ventilated with a tube down his throat.

“On February 10, I was told by the doctor that Jamie’s lungs were so bad that he had seen patients with so much damage not make it, so to prepare for the worst and tell family and friends.

“But his lungs started to respond to the treatment.”

After seeking advice from St Thomas' Hospital in London, staff created a treatment plan for Mr Pritchard, which saw his condition start to improve and allow him to be taken off a ventilator.

Mr Pritchard had a Tracheostomy to wean him off the sedation, but by this time his lungs were ‘damaged and heavily scarred by Covid’. The pressure of the ventilator caused a hole to develop in his lung causing it to collapse and required life saving surgery at Southampton General Hospital.

Dorset Echo: Jamie Pritchard wipes a tear from his face as he is applauded after being discharged from hospital after a near-six month battle with coronavirusJamie Pritchard wipes a tear from his face as he is applauded after being discharged from hospital after a near-six month battle with coronavirus

Mrs Pritchard was told her husband may not even survive the journey from Dorchester to Southampton - let alone the operation itself.

She said: “I was told at this point that without this operation he had got less than 50 per cent chance of surviving and that was going down daily.

“If he had de-saturated, then he would have had minutes - not enough time for me to go up and say my goodbyes.

“I was told there would be a risk he may not make the journey from Dorchester to Southampton and then if he did, he may not survive the operation. But he did both.

“This was the turning point of his journey, but his lungs are so damaged he has only 25 per cent of lung capacity combined that’s working so he requires oxygen at all times.

“He has the risk of blowing holes in his lungs which he has done twice since the operation.”

'He nearly died five times - it was quite serious'

Dorset Echo: An emotional Mr Pritchard waves to Dorset County Hospital staff as he departsAn emotional Mr Pritchard waves to Dorset County Hospital staff as he departs

Mrs Pritchard said doctors had told her the case was 'the most complex Covid patient they’ve had in the South West’.

"He nearly died five times - it was quite serious", Mrs Pritchard added.

"We were told by people he may not survive this."

It is hoped that his lungs will recover in time, but Jamie has also been placed on the waiting list for a double lung transplant.

He now requires help with simple everyday tasks and his mobility is restricted due to his struggle to breathe.

“He requires a lot of help with tasks that we all take for granted but Jamie has adapted to his situation really well,” Mrs Pritchard added.

“I’m so proud of him and that I get to call him my husband.

"I want to say a big thank you to the ICU staff and the Moreton ward staff for their support to both me and Jamie. We also want to thank friends and family for their love and support."

More than £2,000 raised for popular former employee

Dorset Echo: Jamie Pritchard was clearly emotional when he departed hospital with his wife.Jamie Pritchard was clearly emotional when he departed hospital with his wife.

A JustGiving page was set up by an employee of Doonans - where Mr Pritchard used to work - to support Mr Pritchard and buy him a mobility scooter.

With an original fundraising target of £800, the sum has already been surpassed with more than £2,100 raised from around 100 donations.

Mrs Pritchard called the donations and support 'overwhelming' and revealed she will purchase two scooters to ensure that her husband can still go shopping, visit his favourite local spots and more.

A spokesman for Doonans said: “The public response has been fantastic.

“We've had so many offers for people to buy his mobility scooter outright we've been overwhelmed by the generosity of people in Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester.”

To donate to the fundraiser, click this link.