Couple’s appreciation of NHS swells

ALLIES of Boris Johnson say his recent experiences have given him a “renewed understanding” of the NHS.

After the birth of a baby boy in the early hours of Wednesday, the Prime Minister and Carrie Symonds, his fiancée, issued a statement expressing their gratitude to the “fantastic NHS maternity team” who cared for them – just 17 days after Mr Johnson’s life hung in the balance.

The PM was taken to hospital on Apr 6 for what were billed as “routine tests” but his condition soon worsened.

By the end of the day, he was put in intensive care and given oxygen.

During his seven nights in St Thomas’ Hospital, Mr Johnson built up a close rapport with those at his bedside, in particular two immigrant nurses: Jenny from New Zealand and Luis from Portugal.

After being discharged, Mr Johnson thanked the two medics “who stood by my bedside for 48 hours when things could have gone either way”.

There has been speculation that Mr Johnson’s baby was born at the very same Westminster hospital in which he received treatment for Covid-19.

However, sources last night suggested the birth did not take place at St Thomas’.

Number 10 was also quick to scotch any suggestion that the couple used a private wing within an NHS hospital. The Prime Minister’s spokesman said the baby was delivered by “an NHS team in an NHS hospital”.

Mr Johnson had already committed to a £34billion spending package for the NHS, but his recent experiences are likely to mean a further loosening of the Treasury purse strings.

“The NHS has saved my life, no question,” he said in a video statement. One senior MP told The Daily

Telegraph that his experiences meant “protecting the NHS is his number one priority”.

“He owes the NHS so much in such a short space of time. More than anyone, he knows how vital it is not to overburden the service,” the close ally said.