A DOTING wife who has spent 11 hours a day at Colchester General Hospital since her husband was rushed to intensive care has defended the Trust after their latest wave of criticism.

Helen Cook’s husband Tom was rushed to hospital more than three weeks ago after he collapsed at home in Chase Lane, Dovercourt.

He was later diagnosed with pneumonia and has been in the intensive care unit at the hospital ever since.

Two weeks ago the Care Quality Commission said patients were still being failed, too many outpatients appointments were cancelled and patients often faced long waits before a bed was found but Mrs Cook had nothing but praise for the Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust.

“I am absolutely full of praise for Colchester General and I would say the treatment is as good or better than at a private hospital,” she said.

“The staff are absolutely superb and they never stop for a moment. My husband receives one-to-one care at all times.

“They have had a lot of bad press but our care has been fantastic.

“At 74 years old not many people survive pneumonia but he is getting better every day and hopefully soon he will be able to breathe without any help from machinery.”