WATCH: Teenage girl is reunited with her mother after 16 days of treatment for Covid-19 at Eastbourne DGH

There was emotional scenes at Eastbourne DGH this week after a teenage girl was reunited with her mother, following more than two weeks of treatment for Covid-19. East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said 17-year-old Lily Kitcher was able to see her mother, Trudi, after spending 16 days in hospital, eight days in critical care and eight days in Jevington ward. Staff clapped as Lily made her way from the critical care unit to the Jevington ward, and then again when she left the ward to go home to her mum. Lily said: "All of the nurses and doctors were so lovely and so incredible. "They made me feel very safe in such a scary environment. "I’m so grateful to them all, doing everything they could to make me as comfortable as possible, and explain as much as they could have despite a constant confusion in my mind. "I really do not doubt that without their incredible care and the amazing kindness of the staff who looked after me things might have be worse. "They kept my mum updated when I couldn’t and reassured her they were taking great care of me. "I don’t believe that people realise the impact of Covid-19, especially young people. "Nobody is immune, and it can affect anyone. "I don’t understand why, unless you need to, why you wouldn’t stay at home or follow the rules to give yourself and your loved ones a fighting chance to steer clear of this virus. Gatherings can wait. "Better to not meet knowing everyone is safe and healthy, than to meet and put everyone at risk, it’s not worth risking it. "I’m so grateful for the care I have received. "The NHS is an amazing thing, I hope no one takes it for granted.” Trudi said they're pleased to have Lily home after a 'traumatic' two and a half weeks. She said not seeing her child when she was desperately ill in hospital was 'heart wrenching'. Lily's mother was only able to speak to Lily over the phone, but staff at Eastbourne DGH gave them their direct number so that they could ring day or night. As Lily's father is deaf it was also important that they were able to text, so she was allowed to keep hold of her mobile phone. Trudi added: "They recognised how difficult it was for me to not be with Lily, but we were still able to text her messages of love and support as they allowed her to have her phone. "We were grateful for this. "Once she was unable to communicate due to being ventilated, the nurses would put the phone to her ear when I called, so we could talk and tell her how much we loved and missed her. "And knowing that someone was by Lily’s side, often holding her hand meant so much! "The care she received from everyone was evident, as when I rang for updates on her progress, each member of the team was able to help. "Consultants and doctors took the time to call us to explain what was happening with Lily’s treatment and to ‘check in’ with her family too! "Lily reinforced this by telling us how lovely they were towards her, with her only regret not being able to see 'all the hunky doctors behind their masks!' "We also received a knitted heart in the post and learned Lily had been given a matching one. "A symbol of connection and affection at a time when we were apart was a really lovely gesture. "We are so very very grateful for their care, especially when faced with so many extra challenges due to the virus. "Thank you so much." More Radio is continuously dedicated to providing a quality news service on-air and online, reporting local stories that matter across Sussex. If you found this story useful, then check out our home page at  moreradio.online  where you can find the latest from the county, along with features and competitions from our presenters, as well as listening to the station live. You can also sign up to our news alerts to receive updates on new stories. Simply click on the bell at the bottom right of the home page. This will then allow a pop-up which will ask if you would like to receive alerts. Press ‘allow’ and you’re all signed up! You can also follow us on Facebook and on Twitter.