Prime Minister Boris Johnson says ‘greatest national asset’ NHS saved his life

The Prime Minister, speaking in a video released shortly after he was discharged from hospital, admitted there was a 48-hour period when things "could have gone either way".

Downing Street had insisted the PM was in "good spirits" even after his admission to intensive care, where he spent three of the seven nights in St Thomas' in central London.

In a tweet following her fiance's release from hospital, Carrie Symonds said there had been some "very dark" times in the past week.

‘The NHS has saved my life, no question’

Speaking in the video message posted online Mr Johnson thanked the "utterly brilliant" doctors, and praised the nurses for their "astonishing" care.

The PM, who was wearing a suit, will not be returning to work immediately on doctors' orders, instead recuperating at Chequers, his country residence in Buckinghamshire.

He said the NHS would be "unconquerable" in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

Boris Johnson has been discharged from hospital. | Other 3rd Party

He said: "I have today left hospital after a week in which the NHS has saved my life, no question.

"It's hard to find the words to express my debt - but before I come to that, I want to thank everyone in the entire UK for the effort and the sacrifice you have made and are making."

Progress being made

He thanked people for continuing to socially distance and to self-isolate, saying: "I do believe that your efforts are worth it, and are daily proving their worth."

While he said "the struggle is by no means over", he appeared to offer some hope by adding that progress is being made.

He said: "We are making progress in this national battle because the British public formed a human shield around this country's greatest national asset - our National Health Service."

Mr Johnson said he had personally "seen the pressure the NHS is under" and listed the essential staff including cleaners, cooks and all healthcare workers who he said had shown "personal courage" by continuing to work and "risking this deadly virus".

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