A grandfather who was on the brink of death today praised the “amazing” Ipswich Hospital staff who saved his life.

HOLBROOK: A grandfather who was on the brink of death today praised the “amazing” Ipswich Hospital staff who saved his life.

When Steve Southgate developed pains in his abdomen on Christmas Eve, he never imagined that just 48 hours later he would be fighting for his life.

The 61-year-old's condition rapidly deteriorated, with medics at the Garrett Anderson Centre's critical care unit at Ipswich Hospital discovering he had suffered pneumonia which had caused a collapsed lung.

Mr Southgate, 61, of Firebronds Road, Holbrook, said: “I came to the conclusion I was going to die.

“I thought 'what have I done wrong?', but I made peace with myself and I was ready to go.”

Mr Southgate was heavily sedated as doctors fought to save his life.

“When I got to the Garrett Anderson Centre, every conceivable piece of medical equipment you could have was there,” he said.

“It was state-of-the-art. I had 24-hour care for five days - it was amazing. They gave me my life.”

Mr Southgate, who owns his own plumbing and heating business, is back at work as he recovers from his ordeal - with a new spring in his step.

“It makes you appreciate life,” he said.

“It is an insult to give them ten out of ten - I think the service was world class.”

The state-of-the-art Garrett Anderson Centre, which incorporates the emergency department, opened in 2008 at a cost of �26 million and was funded by the Private Finance Initiative.

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