'My friends in the care home helped my recovery'

Ann Matthews, from Sharpthorne, called her recovery from end-of-life care a "miracle"

A woman has told how the sense of community within her care home helped her health improve following complicated surgery.

Ann Matthews, 86, from Sharpthorne in West Sussex, was deemed to be near the end of her life following abdominal surgery.

But Ms Matthews said seeing other people walking around and doing activities at her East Grinstead care home motivated her to exceed doctor's expectations and come off end-of-life care after eight months of treatment.

She said: "It obviously just wasn't my time."

Ms Matthews added: "I lived on my own for so long that the company here was a huge benefit.

"You see other people doing things and you do them. You want to walk and you do the things everyone else does."

Not giving up

Ann said she had lived on her own for over 35 years after the death of her husband.

A keen gardener, she spent over four months in hospital after complications with surgery left her unable to walk or care for herself.

In February, she moved into Charter's Court care home in East Grinstead under fast-track continuing health care, an NHS provision for those nearing the end of their lives.

After eight months of continuing treatment, she has since been able to walk with assistance and has regained some of her independence.

Julie Harper, home manager at Charter House, said: "Ann wasn't going to give up – she wanted to get better.

"She seems to be thriving and its really good to see."