A SERIOUSLY-ill woman has something to celebrate this New Year - she has finally been discharged from hospital after almost an entire year in intensive care.

The Evening News reported in August how Jenny Darling was left fighting for her life after a series of "blunders" at Evesham Community Hospital, according to her husband, Steve.

Paralysed Mrs Darling, aged 53, who suffers from myotonic dystrophy - a rare muscle-wasting condition - was admitted to Evesham hospital for a week in December 2003, to allow Mr Darling, her full-time carer, some respite.

However, while there, Mr Darling, who is also 53, claims her airway became blocked by her own vomit and she had to be taken to the Alexandra Hospital, in Redditch, where she was diagnosed with cardiac and respiratory failure.

After a full tracheotomy, she was connected to a ventilator and told she would never breathe unassisted again.

She later suffered a relapse and was taken into intensive care at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, where she remained until being transferred back to the Alexandra.

After what was supposed to be a seven-day respite stay, Mrs Darling ended up in hospital for 359 days.

Now Mr Darling says he is "elated" after his wife was finally given the green light to return to their home in Milton Close, Redditch.

Mr Darling has spent £3,000 converting the garage into a bedroom for his wife, which is kitted out with life-saving equipment, including a ventilator and oxygen maker.

Community specialist nurses work round-the-clock, providing her care.

Mrs Darling spent Christmas and New Year at home surrounded by her loved ones - something her husband feared would never happen.

"It's been a real fight to get Jenny back where she belongs and I have to admit, she was giving up towards the end because she thought she'd never get out of hospital," Mr Darling said.

"The thing about Jenny is she has an amazing spirit in the face of adversity.

"I'm looking forward to the new year, and the new hopes that come with it.

"We know Jenny is very ill but we are hoping she has a lot of time left.

"People ask us if we live day to day, but we are just grateful for every day we have together, especially now she's home."

South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, which runs Evesham hospital, is investigating the complaint.

The PCT was unable to respond to the allegations because of the Bank holiday period but was pleased Mrs Darling was able to spend New Year with her family.