NHS staff thanked by MP hospitalised by severe flu

An MP hospitalised with what he described as "a really bad, severe flu", has thanked NHS staff.

David Williams, who represents Stoke-on-Trent North, was admitted to St Thomas' Hospital which is opposite the Houses of Parliament in central London.

He had to be treated with oxygen after developing complications, he said in a Facebook video update posted on Saturday.

"The staff here have been absolutely remarkable," he said. "They've got me back on my feet quickly, and I'm now off the oxygen." He added he expected to be out of hospital soon and would then take a further few days to recover.

"Being here reaffirms to me the importance of our NHS," the Labour MP added.

Williams also thanked his office staff for "being so brilliant" in his absence and said he had been forced to cancel some community visits in recent days.

The NHS has said flu was on the rise after Christmas gatherings had caused a resurgance.

It has also said that mutations meant this flu season had the potential to be the worst for a decade.

Flu can make some people seriously ill and it was important to get a vaccine if advised to, the NHS said.

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