In a new series on the NHS, the Guardian will feature experiences of patients, their families and staff of treatment provided across east London and west Essex. As A&Es continue to struggle with demand and politicians argue over the future of healthcare, we will publish your first-hand accounts of the NHS.

A mother has praised the 'dedication and compassion' of NHS staff who helped her through the trauma of seeing her husband placed on life support for a month after becoming gravely ill.

In February, 54-year-old John McMorrow, of Lower Queens Road in Buckhurst Hill, visited his GP complaining of feeling unwell following a routine cataract operation in hospital.

He was taken by emergency ambulance to Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone where he was placed into a medically induced coma in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit that was to last for a month.

His family were told he had a 40 per cent chance that he would live after he developed double pneumonia and bird-flu.

His wife Sara, 51, said despite the trauma the family was going through staff were on hand to help her through.

“It was horrible we didn’t think he would make it”, she said.

“I remember one night I was by myself and I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to go home.

“It was past visiting hours but a nurse let me sit with my husband while he was hooked up to the life support.

“I was really crying, all I wanted at this point was to see his eyes, I spent so much time just willing his eyes to open. You get really scared that you will never see them again.

“Suddenly he opened them slightly and I couldn’t believe it, the relief that washed over me it was such an extreme emotion.

“It was still touch-and-go after that but that was a turning point and I knew he was going to pull through.”

“The staff dealt with us with incredible compassion. They would clearly explain every stage, every improvement and every piece of bad news about John with me and my daughters.

“The care John received was consistent wherever he was transferred to and the hospital continue to make new appointments with physios for us now.

“I had no idea this was a hospital in special measures.

"Even though staff were busy their kindness had a deep impact on us and the other families on the ward.

Mr McMorrow, a quantity surveyor, said he was humbled by the treatment from staff of Whipps Cross.

“I still don’t know how I got so ill, especially the bird-flu”, he said.

“When I woke up and realised how hard they had worked to bring me around, it made me very emotional.

“I want to thank everyone who helped me and my family through this period, they really did save my life and I will be forever grateful for their efforts and dedication.

“I have got a long way to go, I have a frame so can’t walk far and get out of breath easily. But I can feel myself getting stronger and stronger every day.”

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