Pensioner’s touching final moments in BBC show have viewers pouring in tributes
BBC documentary Hospital proved a real tearjerker as the cameras followed the final moments of pensioner Joe.
The 81 year old, a retired decorator, spent his final days at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital after a heart attack had left him with a hole in his organ.
Waiting for three weeks for surgery, Joe was told that his chances of survival were between 10 and 20 per cent.
Doctors added that if he did make it out the other side, his chances of a quality life were roughly 50/50.
"I'll be even more chuffed on Saturday if I can get out of bed," he said, "Fingers crossed. I'm pretty sure they feel quite hopeful."
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He took the time to look through old photos and gave some heartfelt advice to the cameras.
"As you lay here in this situation," Joe told, "Every human being at all would have to think about their own life, what they've done.
"Don't reflect on what you've done wrong just be yourself."
He continued: "I'm lucky enough to say I've had and lived a good enough sort of life and I don't want to lose it so I keep battling and hope for the best.
"You can say a few hours from now it's one way or the other. Please God it goes the right way.
"I've got to the stage now where this is it, it's D-Day. This is the moment."
As Joe was taken to the operating theatre, he said his final words: "Make sure and say t'rah to my family."
Viewers took to social media to pay tribute to brave Joe.
One penned: "That was astonishingly sobering to watch from start to finish. Thank you Joe for letting us see your story. #RIPJoe #Hospital #BBC."
Another tweeted: "Oh Joe. Incredibly brave of his family to share his story, my heart broke watching it. The surgical team were amazing in what was a horrible situation. #Hospital @LHCHFT."
Others praised the NHS and medical staff who gave their all to save Joe's life.
One fan wrote: "Watching poor Joe pass away during heart surgery was very distressing. The #NHS has such amazing staff. They need proper support and funding from our govt. #hospital #bbc #saveournhs."
Another stressed the need to protect the institution: "#Hospital was a tough watch this week RIP Joe. The staff were amazing and it must be beyond tough when someone you are trying to save doesn't make it. The #NHS is fantastic institution that we should all be proud of. Yes, it has its flaws but don't we all…"
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