Frimley Park Hospital recently hosted ITV Meridian to film the emotional reunion of a recovered Covid patient, who spent weeks on a ventilator during the early days of the pandemic, and the team that cared for him.

Anwar Chaudhri came to visit Dr Subodh Tote and the intensive care team who looked after him during his 30-day stay on the unit. 

The broadcaster was recording a piece to coincide with the fourth anniversary of the first UK lockdown, taking a look at the intense pressures facing the NHS during the peaks of the pandemic.  

The reporter interviewed Dr Gareth Roberts, chief of service for medicine, who treated our first ever Covid patient, and Dr Tote, about being the fourth busiest Trust in the country and our response to the pandemic. Both spoke about the “unity and fortitude” shown by staff and how it was a “massive collective effort” that got us through the busiest times. 

Patient Anwar Chaudhri spoke to the TV broadcaster about his experience: “After I woke up in ICU, it was just unbelievably positive how Subodh and all his team looked after me. All the nurses and the doctors - it was such good care, I couldn't have asked for more, and this is the reason why I'm standing here today." 

The report was lead story on ITV Meridian’s evening news on Thursday 21 March.