BBC Hospital viewers praise ‘brave’ COVID-19 patient, 88, who says he’s ‘had a good run’ with ‘no complaints’ after being told he may not survive – before ‘defying the odds’ to beat the virus

• BBC documentary Hospital followed staff and patients at Royal Free Hospital 
• Peter, 88, was admitted with respiratory issues and tested positive for COVID-19
• He was facing death and was told by doctors he might not beat the virus
• Viewers praised his ‘stoicism’ as he said he’s ‘had a good run’ at life 
• Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

An 88-year-old grandfather with COVID-19 was praised for his ‘dignity and courage’ as he reflected on life after being told he might not survive the virus. 

Speaking on BBC documentary Hospital last night, Peter said he has ‘so many good memories’ and that he has ‘had a good run’ as he ‘chewed over life’ from his bed at London’s Royal Free Hospital.

The grandfather, who was months away from celebrating his 60th wedding anniversary, had been told he was already receiving the maximum amount of treatment and that there was nothing more that could be done to help him. 

In one heart-wrenching moment a registrar phoned Peter’s daughter, Lisa, to deliver the difficult news that her father might not pull through. Peter had asked to see his family but was told he could not due to restrictions on hospital visitors. 

Stoic: Speaking on BBC documentary Hospital last night, Peter said he has ‘so many good memories’ and that he has ‘had a good run’ as he ‘chewed over life’ from his bed at London’s Royal Free Hospital after being told he might not survive the coronavirus

Viewers praised Peter for remaining courageous in the face of terrifying news, pictured

Despite being in what doctors described as the ‘last chance saloon’, Peter was able to pull through and was discharged from hospital at the end of the episode.  

‘We’re coming up for 60 years married and I want to be there,’ he said of returning to his wife. ‘I’m very lucky I’m going home then we’ll see what happens next.’ 

The emotional journey struck a chord with viewers at home, with one tweeting: ‘I don’t think I’ve ever been so heavily invested in anyone I’ve seen on TV as I was watching Peter on #hospital tonight well done BBC for a remarkable documentary.’

Another wrote: ‘Brilliant to see #Peter pull through. Dignified, proud, brave & extremely grateful throughout #hospital.’

A third added: ‘Peter’s dignity and calmness in facing a very dangerous new virus, alone is astounding #hospital.’ 

BBC cameras followed patients and staff at the hospital, which is a world leader in treating infectious diseases and one of the first trusts in the UK to receive COVID-19 patients, in the days after the start of the government lockdown in March.  

The grandfather, who was months away from celebrating his 60th wedding anniversary, had been told he was already receiving the maximum amount of treatment and that there was nothing more that could be done to help him. Pictured, in his hospital bed

Peter had asked to see his family but was told he could not due to restrictions on hospital visitors. Pictured, a photo of Peter’s wife, who he was unable to see while in hospital

In one heart-wrenching moment a registrar named Johnathan, pictured, phoned Peter’s daughter, Lisa, to deliver the difficult news that her father might not pull through

Despite the bleak outlook, Peter kept his spirits up as he spoke to his granddaughter, pictured

Peter was admitted with respiratory problems after contracting COVID-19 from a dinner party guest. ‘I caught the brunt of it obviously,’ he said calmly. ‘So it’s tough nuts.’

Consultant Tim Lockie was very worried about Peter’s condition and initiated a difficult conversation with him and his family about his prognosis. 

Peter insisted he did not want to be put on a ventilator or be resuscitated as it would be futile given the strength of the virus. Instead his body was ‘kept alive’ by oxygen and medics faced the agonising wait to see whether he could fight back. 

At one point Peter was told that his oxygen level had been increased once again and that it was ‘not a good sign’. 

The grandfather was left alone with his thoughts and admitted it could be ‘lonely’ in the room but said ‘one doesn’t need to get depressed’.   

Despite being in what doctors described as the ‘last chance saloon’, Peter was able to pull through and was discharged from hospital at the end of the episode. Pictured, off oxygen

‘I’m listening to music,’ he continued. ‘One chews through ones life as well… So many good memories. Nothing but good. We’ve had a good run so no complaints.’

BBC crew were able to visit daughter Lisa, who revealed her father and his parents had fled Nazi Germany to move to the UK. 

She spoke of the difficulty of not being able to be by his bedside. 

 ‘It’s very scary when someone goes into hospital,’ she said. ‘It’s been really frightening and awful. You just want to be there holding his hand. 

‘You don’t have a sense of whether he’s feeling scared, or feeling safe, or feels like he’s making progress.’ 

However, after being on oxygen treatment for 12 days, Peter’s oxygen levels dramatically and he was able to be discharged. 

The consultant spoke of just how close he had come to losing his battle with the disease and said he had survived ‘against all the odds. 

‘Without the supplemental oxygen he wouldn’t have survived hours,’ he said. ‘Peter was in the last-chance saloon, as it were…’ 

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