NHS nurse, 59, who was put on a ventilator as she battled coronavirus in intensive care returns to work at the same hospital that saved her life
- Nurse Millie Magadlela, 59, has returned to work after recovering from Covid-19
- She was treated by critical care colleagues at University Hospital of North Tees
- The mother-of-two returned to the hospital in Stockton-on-Tees last Thursday
A brave nurse who was placed on a ventilator as she battled coronavirus has returned to work at the same hospital that saved her life.
Millie Magadlela, 59, was placed in the critical care unit at the University Hospital of North Tees at the end of March after testing positive for Covid-19.
After three days on a ventilator and more than two weeks in the ICU, an emotional video showed the mother-of-two leaving the hospital back in April.
Following four months of recovery at her home, the nurse of 39 years returned to work at the very same hospital last Thursday.
She said: ‘I’m thrilled to be back after four long months at home recovering.
‘Although a bit apprehensive about how my first day back would be, I can say it’s been lovely to get back into a routine and I’ve loved seeing all my colleagues and friends.
Millie Magadlela returned to work at University Hospital of North Tees last week, four months after she was discharged from its critical care unit, having contracted Covid-19
After continuing her recovery at home in the weeks and months since the mum-of-two finally returned to work at University Hospital of North Tees on Thursday.
She said: ‘I’m thrilled to be back after four long months at home recovering.
‘Although a bit apprehensive about how my first day back would be, I can say it’s been lovely to get back into a routine and I’ve loved seeing all my colleagues and friends.
‘I had a warm welcome on the ward by everyone.
‘They were all so happy to see me back, saying ‘you look amazing’ and ‘you look great’.
‘That made my day and my anxiety started to ease and I became more relaxed.’
Ms Magadlela who works in the surgical decision unit at the Stockton-on-Tees hospital, started feeling unwell on March 29 after returning home following a shift.
The nurse of 39 years was on a ventilator for three days and in the intensive care unit for more than two weeks
Over the next few days she developed more coronavirus symptoms and was taken back to her place of work to be treated by colleagues.
Millie, a nurse of 39 years, was on a ventilator for three days and in the intensive care unit for more than two weeks.
A video shot in mid April shows the mum being wheeled out of the unit to a rapturous round of applause from the doctors and nurses who treated her.
A short time later Millie, who is from Stockton-on-Tees, was allowed to return home and continue her recovery, before returning to work last week.
She said: ‘To be back at work has given me a huge boost for my mental, physical and emotional health.
‘I was a bit tired when I got home at the end of the shift and I’d already been informed by our occupational health team that I would feel a little more tired due to post COVID-19 fatigue.
Millie Magadlela, 59, was placed in the critical care unit of the hospital where she works in late March after testing positive for Covid-19
‘I’d like to thank everyone who supported me before and during my illness.
‘The medical staff who cared for me, my friends, family and colleagues who stood by me and for the hundreds of lovely comments on social media from people I haven’t met but all wished me well.’
Deepak Dwarakanath, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust’s Medical Director, said: ‘Welcome back Millie.
‘We’re thrilled Millie has recovered and is now back with us, doing the job she has some 40 years’ experience in.
‘Millie is a highly valued and skilled nurse and I know the whole Trust joins me in welcoming her back ‘home’.’