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Abigail's Footsteps founder David Ward in Medway Maritime Hospital with Covid-19

By: Matt Ramsden mramsden@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 14:44, 10 December 2020

Updated: 14:51, 10 December 2020

A well-known charity boss is being treated with oxygen in hospital after being admitted with Covid-19.

David Ward was taken into Medway Maritime on Monday after battling the illness at home.

Abigail's Footsteps founder David Ward is in hospital with Covid

Along with his wife Jo, the 53-year-old founded Chatham-based stillbirth charity Abigail's Footsteps in 2010, following the loss of their daughter.

It works to improve the way bereaved parents are cared for by hospitals and to educate midwives on how to care for grieving parents.

Mr Ward tested positive for the virus on November 22 and thinks it might have come from one of his children's school bubbles.

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The Rochester resident has received oxygen, plasma, steroids and antibiotics as he is treated on Phoenix ward.

He said: "From the moment I arrived, the staff have been excellent and attentive.

Charity founders David and Jo Ward pictured with the Countess of Wessex

"Even with staff shortages through illness everyone gets excellent care, I’ve even seen the senior matron Jane on the ward for the last three days.

"In uniform supporting her team, that’s true leadership."

He added: "It’s been a real eye opener. Firstly I was never going to catch it and if I did, I would deal with it.

"How wrong I was. My wife Jo coped really well as I just continued to go backwards."

The dad-of-five is hoping to be out and back home by Monday,

"It’s been a real eye opener. Firstly I was never going to catch it and if I did, I would deal with it"

"My wife Jo was insistent that I needed help and worked with the 111 team to get me admitted. The team on Phoenix ward are all simply amazing.

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"I am just very grateful for a superb NHS who really have delivered when I needed it most."

To get all the latest news and guidance about coronavirus, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Medway

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