One of Tony Blair’s former aides has praised NHS staff at Croydon University hospital after they helped her recover from Coronavirus.

Nita Clarke OBE, who is married to  the academic Stephen Benn, the  3rd Viscount Stansgate  and son of Tony Benn said in a message on Twitter: ”I’m back home after 6 days being re-oxygenated at #croydonuniversityhospital. I cannot thank the marvellous teams In Heathfield Ward 3 enough for their care and attention. They are magnificent, each and every one. I am so grateful.”

Well wishers included the  former Labour leader hopeful  MP Jess Phillips who said: “Such a relief so happy you are home xxx”

Local Labour MP for Central Croydon Sarah Jones and the former Conservative MP Gavin Barwell, now a Lord, also sent best wishes along with former shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander and London MP Stella Creasy.

Nita who lives in South Norwood added: “Happy to spread praise of Mayday if it helps raise staff morale.”

Croydon Health Service NHS Trust replied: “We’re glad you’re feeling better Nita! We’d love to pass your message on to our staff.”

Nita was press officer and then political officer for UNISON until January 2001 when she joined Downing Street as Tony Blair’s assistant political secretary with responsibility for trade union liaison.

Since 2008 she has been co-chair at Employee Engagement Task Force since 2008.  

Her daughter Emily was a Labour Cllr in West Thornton  for two years before taking up a job opportunity in New York in 2016.