Great-great-grandmother, 100, clapped out of hospital after beating seventh deadly illness

Rose Heeley, from Sheffield, has overcome Scarlett fever, measles, whooping cough, diphtheria, flu, two heart attacks and now Covid-19 in her 100 years of life.

Her five-generation family, which includes 11 grandchildren , 22 great-grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren, were overjoyed when she was given the all-clear following 18 days in hospital.

Join our new coronavirus Facebook group for the latest confirmed news and advice as soon as we get it. Rose’s granddaughter, Tracey Appleyard, 49, said: “She is delighted to be back home.

"She’s our little boomerang, she never fails to come back with a vengeance.

“We were all so worried about her having the virus, at first we feared the worst, but we knew she was in safe hands and soon enough we knew she would come out dancing.

“Everyone was amazing on the ward and kept us updated, we are so thankful for the care they gave our lovely nanan.”

Rose received a guard of honour when she was clapped out of hospital by doctors and nurses when she was discharged last Wednesday, after spending 18 days there.

Matron at Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, Katie Ashton, said: “We are always delighted to see patients like Rose getting better and going home, she has an amazing spirit and it was so uplifting to be able to clap her out of the ward on discharge.

"As matron, I couldn’t be more proud of all my team on the ward and all the rest of our colleagues across Sheffield Teaching Hospitals who have stepped up to an unprecedented challenge with smiles and unfaltering hard work.

"They are a credit to the NHS."

Professor Chris Morley, chief nurse at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, said: "I am thrilled that Mrs Heeley has recovered from Covid-19 and I wish her and her family all the best.

"She is clearly an extraordinary lady and I know our teams have worked very hard to ensure she received the care and support she and her family needed at this challenging time.

"I am very proud of the ward team and indeed all our colleagues who are caring for patients in our hospitals and community at this time."

Tracey added: "(Rose has) got such a positive attitude. She can put a smile on anybody’s face.

"She is still doing great for 100 and tells such wonderful stories, we love her so much.

"She loves nothing more than a trip to Skegness, on the Lincolnshire coast eating her fish and chips.

"My nanan definitely got her fill of childhood illnesses, but she fought them all off, just like she has done with this coronavirus."

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