Maria's story: "The care is exceptional because it's King's"

A life changed overnight

When Maria went into hospital in March last year, she could never have imagined how much her life was about to change.

 “When people say you don’t know what’s around the corner,” she says, “you really don’t. I had holidays to Morocco and Turkey booked – I was just going about my normal life.”

But after a fall at work, Maria began to experience severe pain. Eventually, her bowel perforated – and she became critically ill.

She went to A&E, where her condition quickly deteriorated. She developed sepsis and atrial fibrillation. Within hours, she was fighting for her life in intensive care.

Waking up in the CCU

Maria spent five and a half weeks in King’s College Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.
 “For the first month, I have no recollection,” she says. “It’s hard for me to even remember going into A&E.”

When Maria finally woke up, she was weak, frightened, and unable to move.
 “I’d woken up after a month and I just couldn’t do anything. I’d been on a ventilator, and I couldn’t even change position in the bed,” she says.

“The staff were great. I managed to get out into a chair two or three times with the hoist. I was so vulnerable.”

Life-saving care at King’s

Maria speaks with deep appreciation for the care she received at King’s.
 “The care is exceptional because it’s King’s,” she says. “The passion and dedication of the senior nurses, the matrons, the psychology team – they were fantastic.”

She is especially grateful for the psychological support she received.
 “I had therapy for delirium and depression. The psychologist even saw my daughter. What she went through was awful – seeing me like that. I think it’s had a big impact on her.”

Why the outdoor CCU matters

When Maria began to regain some strength, she managed to go outside for the first time.
 “My daughter pushed me in a wheelchair, just across the street,” she says. “If there had been access to a secure area, like the outdoor CCU, I probably would have gone out earlier. It would have made a real difference.”

Having a peaceful, accessible outdoor space would, Maria believes, make a huge difference for patients and families alike.

 “Having somewhere that’s close to ICU would really help – for patients, families, and staff,” she says. “It takes you away from the noise and the distress.”

Her daughter came to see her every single day, but there was nowhere else to go.
 “It would have been lovely to sit somewhere calm together.”

For many patients, Maria believes, the outdoor Unit could even become part of their therapy.
 “People might see it as a goal to work towards. It brings a bit of hope.”

Hope, healing, and a place to breathe

For Maria, recovery has been about more than survival – it’s about rebuilding her strength, her confidence, and her hope. The care she received at King’s saved her life, but moments of calm and connection helped her begin to live again.

That’s why spaces like the outdoor CCU mean so much. They give patients and their families a place to breathe, reflect, and find peace in the middle of the most difficult times.

Together, we can bring hope, comfort, and light to those spending the holidays in hospital.