A couple who work at a hospital have given their thanks to colleagues who saved their lives.

Simon Buckingham and his fiancée Shelly Coombs, who both work at Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham, were treated by fellow staff after contracting coronavirus.

Both spent time in the hospital's High Dependency Unit.

Simon works in the IT department while Shelly is in the clinical systems team.

Simon said: “Without the NHS neither I nor my partner would be here. Without the doctors, nurses and others we would be dead; we owe our lives to the NHS.

“Our colleagues at Medway Maritime Hospital put their own lives on the line to save ours and I can’t ever begin to thank them for what they have done.”

“The whole team were amazing and despite the workload, people were positive and so supportive.

"There was a moment where they didn’t think I would pull through and Shelly also had a close call.

"However, the professionalism and sheer dedication of the staff was something to make us all so proud and truly saved our lives.”

Both are now recovering at home.

The hospital's chief executive James Devine said: “We are all so happy that Simon and Shelly have made such a good recovery.

"The care they received is testament to the incredible staff we have here at Medway and the dedication and compassion they show to every patient.

“We all wish them well in their continued recovery.

For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Medway