Ludlow councillor praises emergency staff after stroke

Andy Boddington, Shropshire councillor for Ludlow North, "had a stroke and hit the floor" of his flat in the town on January 11, then spent six days in hospital.

He has explained how health staff had initially talked him through the ordeal, and how ambulance workers provided a "first class" service.

"At 4.30am last Thursday morning, I had a stroke and hit the floor of my flat," he said.

"I was lucky. I was able to pull the phone towards me.

"With careful coaching from the 111 call centre, I could give enough information to get an ambulance and provide instructions for access to my flat."

Councillor Boddington offered his thanks to staff from West Midlands Ambulance Service and Hereford Hospital, where he was looked after for almost a week.

He added: "I can't praise the staff in the acute stroke unit enough.

"I learned much about the day to day pressures in acute stroke units, especially the complexities of coping with people with dementia who have had a stroke."

Councillor Boddington said his council work will be put on hold while he focuses on his recovery.

He said there will "certainly" be no meetings this week and he will not respond to any e-mails until next week.

He said: "I am sure I will make a full recovery - after all, I am typing this just six days after being unable to get up from my living room floor. But I need a lot of rest.

"I hope to be getting around and about in town over the next couple of days to get life back to normal.

"But my main focus will be on buying fresh food - I have a bizarre lust for brussels sprouts after days of overcooked carrots (though the food was OK overall).

"If there is something locally I haven't dealt with, I will take no offence if residents e-mail me a reminder from Tuesday onwards."

Councillor Boddington thanked everyone for their support while he has been unwell.

He said: "Finally, but far from least, I 'd like to thank everyone for their support in the last six days. Visiting, bringing me home and the huge crowd of supporters on Facebook. The last six days would have been so much more difficult without you."