A FITNESS instructor and lyricist from Calne has spoken out about her gratitude to NHS staff and to local police for their support and dedication during a time of devastating physical and mental ill health.

Kiana James, 43, from Lake View, suffered months of ill health and ended up in hospital in September with a blood clot in her leg and serious anaemia. Following a raft of tests, medical staff on the Neptune Ward at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon discovered she had a stomach haemorrhage, because of her blood thinner medication.

"I was immediately taken off the blood thinner treatment which was replaced with injections. And almost immediately my health improved," she said.

"When I  was admitted to Neptune Ward the care was outstanding, the staff were so warm, encouraging and extremely compassionate. The time I was given, the thought that went into their actions with me was extremely impressive. Not only impressive but very soothing in that time I was extremely scared and if I am honest thought my days were numbered."

Kiana has also expressed her gratitude to the GPs at Northlands Surgery in Calne: "Your consistency with me I truly value and I feel very lucky to be your patient. Trust is an absolute must in this life and listening skills are extremely important."

While her physical health improved, Kiana suffered another heart-breaking set-back in her personal life and at the lowest ebb, tried to take her own life in December.

"I went into the woods, I didn't know where I was. It was pitch black, and I wanted to get lost. I'd been drinking and taken medication. I ended up on the road and called the police," she said.

She described how PCSO Mark Cook and his colleagues saved her life: "He gave me his coat that night, as I was walking about in the freezing cold. They looked after me," she said.

"Mark Cook does so much for this community. I want to nominate him for an MBE."