LIFE SAVERS
Kate Garraway fights back tears as she thanks the nurses who saved husband Derek’s life for the first time
KATE Garraway fought back tears live on air today as she got to thank the nurses who saved husband Derek Draper's life.
The Good Morning Britain presenter, 53, was introduced to the NHS workers who first treated Derek - who remains in intensive care - when he first caught coronavirus in March.
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Kate and co-host Ben Shephard chatted to members of the ICU Liberty Singers - a 115-strong group of intensive care staff - who sang a cover of The Police's Every Breath You Take.
The mum-of-two said: "It's so great to talk to you, because I didn't realise that you actually cared for Derek, my husband, when he was at the Whittington when he first got sick.
"And, you know, his life was saved by all of you. I'm going to get emotional now.
"I've never spoken to you because of course we weren't allowed to visit. It was very chaotic in that time and very pressurised.
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"You weren't chaotic, it was a chaotic time. And often I was getting information from direct care. So thank you, first of all, it means so much, and for all you're doing for so many people."
One of the nurses replied: "You’re welcome Kate, I’d just like to say on behalf of all of Whittington Intensive Care staff we did our very best to look after all patients including Derek.
"All of us here looked after Derek - I was here the day he was admitted - and we'd just like to wish all of you the very, very best from all the staff from the intensive care unit here."
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Kate added: "Look at you, you are saviours of Derek and so many people."
Former political lobbyist Derek, 53, was placed in an induced coma after being admitted to hospital in March with coronavirus, and Kate has spoken frequently about how much she and their children Darcey and Billy miss him.
The ICU Liberty Singers were formed by Kari Olsen-Porthouse, a veteran choir director, originally to help with NHS staff's mental health.
However, they want their latest single to create a fund to support NHS staff mental and physical health, managed by the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine.
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In November, Kate told co-host Ben that she feels "physically sick" about the prospect of Christmas without Derek.
She said: "I feel physically sick actually. I can feel my chest tightening at the thought of it, and the total panic at Darcy, Bill and myself on our own at Christmas unable to visit Derek because of restrictions, and that huge emotional hole.
"I don't know how to fill it, without friends and grandparents to fill it. It feels like such a significant moment."
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