A MAN came close to death while in agony from sepsis because he did not want to burden the NHS. 

Peter Hunter, a Unison manager, has suffered from chronic pain in his guts for a number of years and hoped he could ride out a recent bout as he had in the past. 

The 56-year-old said: "I’ve had this severe recurring pain for many years, and it was never diagnosed.

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Glasgow Times:

"I had been dreading an attack during the pandemic because I didn’t want to burden the NHS and I didn’t think they’d be able to help me with the pain. I tried to tough it out, a white-knuckle ride through the pain. I was wrong."

He was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and diagnosed with a strangulated hernia, a knot in his bowels which had caused so much damage that his small intestine’s tissue had become poisoned, causing sepsis to set in. 

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Peter credits the fast-acting staff in the South Side hospital with saving his life. They put him through a number of surgeries in his first week, while he was kept alive on a ventilator.

He said: “After my operation, I was naturally quite scared – it's going to be a big change for me, but the counselling staff were on hand to provide support as soon as I asked for it and it really helped. I was also determined to get mobile as quickly as possible after surgery as I felt guilty having taken up bed space.

"I am mindful that people have had very distressing health experiences this past year but what I witnessed was very clear. We have an amazing health system. Principally that relies on the talent, compassion and energy of tireless health workers."

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He urged anyone suffering from symptoms of serious illness to seek medical help and reminded others that the health service was still providing non-Covid care despite the pandemic. 

Frances McLinden, south director for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: "Peter’s case should act as a reminder to us all that if you are suffering severe distress and you’re worried about coming to hospital, don’t hesitate in seeking treatment.

"We have extremely strict protocols to avoid the risk of virus transmission, and our staff continue to treat both Covid and non-Covid patients.”