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Hospital cleaner finally defeats coronavirus after spending three weeks in a coma

Ann McFayden spent three weeks in an induced coma (Picture: SWNS)
Ann McFayden spent three weeks in an induced coma (Picture: SWNS)

A grandmother was given a guard of honour when she left hospital after finally defeating coronavirus.

Ann McFayden, 63, was fighting for her life in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for three weeks in an intensive care unit, in an induced coma.

The gran, who has worked as a cleaner for the NHS for more than 20 years, was released on Wednesday - five-and-a-half weeks after being admitted on 21 April.

Her daughter, Sharon McDonald, 34, feared she would be planning her mum's funeral rather than welcoming her home.

She said: “I can’t thank the ICU staff enough. They saved her life and gave me my mum back.

“They were amazing.”

Ann McFayden left hospital after nearly six weeks being treated for coronavirus (Picture: SWNS)
Ann McFayden left hospital after nearly six weeks being treated for coronavirus (Picture: SWNS)

Sharon, who is her mum's only child, said the nurses had played her favourite songs by Lewis Capaldi and also talked to her about her three grand-daughters to help her recover.

Mum-of-three Sharon added: “I was amazed. Not only were they looking after her physically, they truly cared and went above and beyond every day.

“They kept us informed about every development and were completely honest with us.

“I went to bed every night wondering who I could invite to her funeral and had to hide just how bad she was from my girls.

“But that nightmare is over and she’s coming home.”

Ann McFayden leaves the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow (Picture: SWNS)
Ann McFayden leaves the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow (Picture: SWNS)

Ann, from Drumchapel, Glasgow, was praised by her boss at the Brownlee Centre at Gartnavel Hospital, Marjorie McCulloch.

She was delighted to greet her colleague as she left Queen Elizabeth.

Marjorie said: “I can’t express enough, how thoroughly delighted we all are to hear of Ann’s recovery.

“Ann is a truly valued member of our team and has never been far from our thoughts. She is known for her smiling face and sunny nature.”

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