Woman placed in a coma with Covid-19 at Pinderfields takes first steps to recovery

Barbara Frain was discharged from Pinderfields this week after five weeks at the hospital, with 28 days spent in the intensive care unit.

The 62-year-old was taken to the hospital by ambulance in March after suffering what she described as "terrible flu-like symptoms".

Her condition deteriorated and staff at Pinderfields took the decision to place her into a coma to give her the best chance of surviving the killer disease.

She required ventilation and tracheostomy.

Pictured first is Barbara standing for the first time since waking up, with physiotherapists on the post-anaesthetic care unit (PACU).

Deirdre Linnane, assistant director for therapies at the Mid Yorks Hospitals NHS Trust has said: “From the point of admission, our multi-disciplinary team of therapists begin work with patients who are particularly ill, as Barbara was, and require critical care.

“For Covid-19 patients who are in a coma, our physiotherapists will help with chest care, positioning such as prone lying to improve oxygen circulation and maintenance of limb range of movement through daily stretches.

"Once the patient stabilises and starts waking up, our therapists really start to progress their rehabilitation."

Barbara, who is known as Sheila to family and friends, lives in Heckmondwike with her husband and grand-daughter who have developed no symptoms.

She is now back at home continuing her recovery and catching up on episodes of Emmerdale that she missed.

Her husband said that Barbara gave a "teary big thank you” to all the staff involved in her care at Pinderfields.

She was the 302nd person to be discharged from Pinderfields admitted with coronavirus.