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Stansted patient pays tribute to ‘outstanding’ care as he undergoes emergency surgery at Princess Alexandra Hospital




A Stansted man who underwent emergency surgery has praised the NHS after he was in and out of hospital in less than 12 hours.

Jonathan Self, 58, was dropped off at Harlow’s Princess Alexandra Hospital accident and emergency unit at 7.30am last Wednesday (Jan 8) as the pain from a suspected abscess in his left buttock worsened.

By 7pm he was back home in Highmead with his wife, Charlotte, from where he spoke to the Indie about his gratitude towards the hospital team.

Jonathan Self underwent emergency surgery for an abscess
Jonathan Self underwent emergency surgery for an abscess

“Every member of NHS staff I encountered played a crucial role, yet it felt like one large, cohesive team working together to prioritise my life and wellbeing,” he said.

“We must not forget what the NHS did for us all during Covid and the immense responsibility they continue to carry in looking after our health.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude for the outstanding care I received, from the receptionist to the nurses during admission, the UTC [urgent treatment centre] staff, the anaesthetist, the surgeons, the aftercare team in recovery and even the porter who collected me and supported my wife when I was discharged.

“Every step of the way, I felt cared for. I was also provided with a clear aftercare plan to aid my recovery.”

Jonathan, who in his spare time runs a cold water swimming group on behalf of mental health support network Let’s Talk, Stansted, was only 10 weeks into a new job with a high street retailer in London when he became ill.

At first, Jonathan went to Peacocks Surgery in Stansted last Monday (Jan 6) and was prescribed antibiotics for a suspected skin infection or abscess.

“It all happened so quickly and I got more and more uncomfortable,” he said.

Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow. Pic: Vikki Lince
Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow. Pic: Vikki Lince

“I spoke to the GP, who said if it gets too uncomfortable to go to A&E, so my wife dropped me off at 7.30am on the Wednesday.

“I was seen fairly quickly, within an hour-and-a-half, and then at 9am they referred me to their UTC on site.

“At noon they saw me again, referred me to a surgeon and by about 3.50pm I was operated on.”

Jonathan said: “We hear such awful negativity about the NHS, and those people worked so hard and they deserve so much more.

“I was given an aftercare plan and had a district nurse visit me on Saturday and Sunday to change my dressing and the pain is being managed.”

The surgery has left him with a hole 4cm deep and 4cm wide (1.6in x 1.6in) which had to be left open to avoid further infection. Jonathan praised his wife as a “superstar” for looking after him.

“Thank you to everyone involved. This was an emergency and the rapid attention I received made all the difference,” he said. “Things could have been very different without the swift and exceptional care I was given.

“I hope my experience serves as a reminder of the incredible health service we have, even when they are under immense strain.”

Jonathan’s start to the new year has not been the best. “It’s been a very stressful week,” he said.

“Combined with experiencing a water leak in our home and having [our] utility, hall and kitchen floor dug up, this has been a horrendous start to 2025, although I do recognise there are still others who are having a more difficult time.

“But I was very fortunate they did what they did. Clearly they had reason to operate, probably fearing sepsis, or I am asthmatic so maybe they saw there were risks, but I am just so grateful.”



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