A MAN from California has praised staff at Poole Hospital for saving his life.

Michael Sanders, 82, recently returned to the UK, after an absence of 60 years, 40 of which were spent in the USA.

Three weeks after arriving in the UK on July 4, he was rushed to Poole Hospital with a failed kidney and subsequently diagnosed with cancer.

Mr Sanders said: “I was within minutes of death. I spent four days in ICU, a month in a ward and now I'm as good as new, albeit with a very slow moving cancer."

He now wants to thank the staff at Poole Hospital for saving his life.

Mr Sanders said: "There is no doubt in my mind that had I remained in the USA I would now be dead and no words are sufficient to describe the professionalism melded with a truly caring spirit that could not possibly be surpassed anywhere in the world.

“The staff were not only extremely knowledgeable and efficient but tremendously caring.

“I had frequent visits from many doctors and the best care possible from those behind the scenes that arrange the medicine, tests and scans etc.

“Everything runs like clockwork and their aftercare is just as impressive.

“I was sent home with prescriptions medical devises, trolley, stands to make coping easier. One month of twice daily visits to ensure health and welfare and further follow ups, it’s a marvel.”

Dr Matthew Hodson, deputy chief nursing officer at University Hospitals Dorset, said: “It’s incredibly humbling to hear about this patient’s experience of the care they received with us, and gives a real boost to our teams working hard to provide great care to all our patients.

“We strive at all times to provide the care that we would want to receive, and so it’s truly heartening to hear feedback like this and we wish the patient well.

“Positive feedback is welcome at any time of course, but particularly more so now as, like the wider NHS, we continue to work hard under significant pressures.”