A YOUNG nursery nurse has told of her survival after she contracted meningitis.

Rachael Phillips, aged 23, from Farnworth, was in a coma for a week and doctors feared she might not survive.

But yesterday, two-and-a-half weeks after she was admitted to hospital, Ms Phillips was discharged and is expected to make a full recovery.

In the wake of the investigation about coding “discrepancies” regarding septicaemia at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, the hospital put forward Ms Phillips’ case as a good example of a patient who had suffered from sepsis — and survived.

Ms Phillips had been ill with sickness and diarrhoea for a few days when she was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital’s A&E department after developing a rash.

She was suffering from meningococcal septicaemia, a potentially fatal form of meningitis.

Ms Phillips was in a coma for a week in intensive care. She said: “I feel really lucky. I think anyone who has had meningitis is lucky to be alive.

“The doctors have been absolutely brilliant with me, as have all the people who have helped me.”

Ms Phillips has been to thank the nursing staff in intensive care for looking after her and says she would recommend her treatment at the hospital.