Life-saving treatment
Tommy was born in Newham Hospital and has lived in East Ham all his life. His support for Barts Charity comes after the NHS helped him survive a terrifying and life-threatening event.
In 2014, Tommy’s appendix perforated – which means it burst – and he was rushed to Newham Hospital where he spent two weeks being treated. He lost 15kgs in weight in as many days. But the care Tommy received during his stay was to prove life-saving.
“Usually when you hear people talking about taking their appendix out, it’s quite straight forward and that’s because it’s caught before it actually bursts. Mine had been burst for in excess of probably 20 hours and the pain was unbearable. At one point, my consultant told me that I was 50/50 for my life and I’m very glad I only found out after those odds had been beaten,” reflected Tommy.
"Wear the badge because without East London’s NHS, I wouldn’t be alive today."Tommy, East London resident
Staff went the extra mile
Tommy says that the consultant who saved his life will always be a hero to him. But he is also grateful for the kindness of the nursing staff who helped him get back to full health.
“The NHS staff that treated me were really caring and went the extra mile. Much of my time in hospital was a blur because I was so sick but there is one time that I remember, when I was taking my first steps post-surgery. I just remember holding the hand of the nurse who was helping me to walk and in that moment of weakness I just felt incredibly supported.
East London’s NHS was there for Tommy when he needed it most. Today he wears his badge to show support for the people who saved his life.
Read more about our Wear the Badge positioning campaign.