A grandmother has praised hospital staff after a three-month hospital stay saved her life.

Rita Pocknell, 74, of Halwick Close, Boxmoor, was admitted to Watford General Hospital on February 3 this year when her asthma needed urgent medical attention.

While in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) she contracted pneumonia and had to extend her stay on the ward.

Mrs Pocknell’s daughter was advised to ask her grandsons, currently in the United States and Australia, to return to visit their grandmother for fear that they may not have another chance.

But with the care given on the ICU and the acute ward, Mrs Pocknell pulled through and was released from hospital on May 5.

She said: “I remember going in, but I remember almost anything after that, it was scariest for my family.

“I have had attacks like this before, but nothing like this, I couldn’t even talk or eat or drink anything.

“It is scary to think what could have happened when I listen to what my family saw. It was scarier for them.”

She remembers craving a glass of lemonade, but it was weeks before she could quench her thirst.

Mrs Pocknell is now on the mend and can walk unaided, and live an independent life as she had prior to her illness.

She added: “There are some things that I cannot do as well as I used to, but my sister tells me ‘you did not see how bad you were’, so I’m happy with the progress I’m making.

“I dress myself and feed myself and live just like I used to, I’ve always been independent

Mrs Pocknell is full of praise for the international staff on both wards who helped her pull through.

“They are so incredibly supportive, they came around a couple of times a day to check I was okay.

“If you need help and have to go into hospital, know that you are in the best place.

"They get such a hard time but they do such an incredible job and I am so grateful for what they have done for me."