One of North Wales’ first Covid patients releases book

Alys Morgan, in her 60s, was admitted to Glan Clwyd hospital on Easter Sunday in 2020 with an unexplained sickness which had left her too weak to move.

The next day she was diagnosed with Covid-19, but her symptoms were unfamiliar to NHS staff already battling a new and unfamiliar viral killer.

Mrs Morgan recalled: “At this stage of the pandemic not that much was known about the virus, and the medics couldn’t give us very much apart from paracetamol.

“I hadn’t been in hospital for over 30 years when I went in and whilst the patients were clearly fearful what struck me was how cheerful and kindly the staff were.”

Alys kept a diary in hospital at the suggestion of an occupational therapist, as there was very little to do on the ward – there was no radio and TV, no books, magazines or newspapers, and obviously no visitors.

“We just literally had each other, and I began to regard the staff as family,” she explained.

“I noticed how they’d do that bit extra for you such as the cleaner who would come in and open the windows, to let in some fresh air.

“The caterers would try and encourage us to eat, and the health care assistants brought in their own hair dryers and helped us wash our hair, and nurses brought in iPads that had been donated, so patients could have virtual meetings with the families they weren’t allowed to see.”

When Alys left the hospital, she wrote up her diary in novella form at the suggestion of a mental health counsellor, and much to her surprise and delight two publishing houses were keen to publish it.

The first edition of ‘Ward Nine: Coronavirus: One Woman’s Story’ has already been a sell-out, with profits going to MIND Aberconwy.

The second edition’s profit is going to the Friends of Glan Clwyd Renal Unit.

Glan Clwyd Hospital

The book is sold on Amazon and has received dozens of positive reviews.

“Really the book is a love letter to NHS Wales,” explains Mrs Morgan, who is married and lives in Abergele.

“I’ve been back to the ward to say thank you to the staff, they quite simply saved my life and I’ll never forget how hard they worked or their kindness towards me and the other patients.”

Sharon James, Ward Sister on Ward Nine, said: “We were a gastro ward pre-Covid, and I’m so very proud of my team with how they have coped throughout the pandemic, we’ve learnt so much.

“It’s been very, very tough and I hope we won’t have to go through the same thing again as we are all very tired but I’m pleased to say the vaccines are working.

“Our ward is now back to our pre pandemic status and we have already been using our new skills that we have learnt over the past couple of years.”

Mrs James added: “It was lovely to meet Alys and it’s really touching that we have been remembered in her book.

“It’s fantastic that some of the proceeds are going to support a fund within Awyr Las, our North Wales NHS Charity, so our patients can benefit from her kindness.”