A SELF-CONFESSED “absolute nightmare” of a patient has presented a Colchester surgeon with an unusual gift – a miniature bronze bust of Winston Churchill.

Trevor Orton spent eight months in Colchester General Hospital last year after being admitted as an emer-gency patient with the digestive condition diverticulitis.

He was operated on by consultant surgeon Greg Wynn and returned to the hospital to present him with the bust as a mark of his appreciation.

Former Grenadier Guard Mr Orton, 75, of Kendall Terrace, Colchester, bought the bust in London over 20 years ago and believes it is based on Ivor Roberts-Jones’ sculpture of Churchill in Parliament Square.

He said: “I’m particularly grateful to Mr Wynn who not only carried out the operation but came to see me three or four times every week despite his busy schedule.

“I also owe a massive debt of gratitude to his colleagues who helped with the operation, to the nurses on Brightlingsea ward, to the stoma care team and to plastic surgeon Matt Griffiths.

“Mr Wynn probably won’t admit it but I think it takes a particular type of courage to be a surgeon and operate in a cool, calm and collected manner, taking people’s lives into their hands and having to make instant decisions.

“I think Sir Winston Churchill was courageous too and I’ve always been attached to that sculpture which in some ways I regarded as a personal friend but I know it’ll be in safe hands now that it’s with Mr Wynn.

“I spent several days on a ventilator and when I regained conscious-ness I was in a considerable pain.

“The trauma of it all affected me mentally and when I look back now I realise I was an absolute nightmare as a patient.

“I was verbally abusive, ranting and raving, but the nurses were amazing and stuck by me and carried on despite my protests."

Mr Orton also thanked his sisters, Maureen, who is a volunteer on the Stroke Unit at Colchester General Hospital, and Brenda, for their tremendous support.

Mr Wynn said: “This gentleman was close to dying on more than one occasion but had the physical and mental strength to come through the trauma of sepsis and emergency surgery. I am enormously honoured to be presented with such a meaningful gift. It will remind us of Mr Orton’s courage and serve as a source of in-spiration to myself and others.”

Mr Orton described himself as “wobbly” when he finally left hospital but he has since made an “amazing” recovery.