THE boss of Bradford’s hospitals has defended one of her doctors after the stark story of a seriously ill Covid patient she shared became the target of Covid-denying trolls.

Dr Leanne Cheyne shared a photo of Bradford man Matthew Keenan on her Twitter to highlight the seriousness of Covid-19 and that the most ill patients currently in hospital are under 40.

She said that Mr Keenan, 34, from Bierley, had been sceptical about Covid-19 and the vaccine, and that if he could turn back time and get the jab he would.

After sharing the story, she became the target of Covid-denying and anti-vaccine trolls, and due to the level of abuse she received was forced to remove replies the tweet in question.

She was defended by Professor Mel Pickup, the chief executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who said she deserves “deep gratitude not condemnation”.

Dr Leanne Cheyne, a respiratory consultant at Bradford Royal Infirmary, shared the photo of her patient Matthew Keenan, who was hooked up to a full face oxygen mask in his hospital bed, on Sunday.

She said: “Matthew has agreed for me to share his story. 34, footie coach and dad, self-confessed vaccine sceptic until he caught Covid, if he could turn back time he would.

“Our sickest patients are unvaccinated and under 40. Matthew is fighting for his life… save yours.”

Mr Keenan, a father to young children, said after testing positive for Covid on July 2 that he was suffering from a fever, feeling “freezing and red hot” and also that he had major back pain from the virus, and said it was “the most poorly I have ever been and I feel like it’s getting worse”.

Posting on Facebook he also shared the hashtag #CovidIsReal, after previously being sceptical about the virus.

Just a few days later he was hospitalised and on Sunday was pictured by Dr Cheyne hooked up to a CPAP machine, which forces pressurised oxygen into a person’s lungs to help them breathe.

She said if his condition didn’t improve the next step for Mr Keenan, who has no underlying health problems, would be intensive care.

Some trolls targeting Dr Cheyne claimed the CPAP machine was turned off and that Mr Keenan’s condition was not as bad as claimed as he was on his phone real, as well as directing personal attacks and abuse at her.

After removing replies the tweet, the married mother of two from Bingley said: “Too many trolls out there now so I going to delete.

“To be clear the machine is not off, it’s CPAP with 65 per cent oxygen. Next step would be ICU.

“Also regardless of whether you believe or not it takes no effort to be kind, try it some day.”

Defending her colleague, Professor Mel Pickup said: “This brilliant doctor has had to remove her tweet encouraging vaccinations due to personal attacks and disrespect she has received.

“She has spent every one of her working days for the last 18 months trying desperately to save lives, she deserves deep gratitude not condemnation.”

Mr Keenan, who is still on the road to recovery, was “about the same” on Tuesday, Dr Cheyne said following the initial post on Sunday, and if he had been vaccinated would have probably avoided hospitalisation.

The Station Hotel Sunday League stalwart has received a huge amount of support from his friends and the community, including from Bradford musicians Bad Boy Chiller Crew, and he said he was “overwhelmed” by the number of messages he has received.

All adults who have not yet had their Covid-19 vaccine are being urged to book it as soon as possible to give themselves protection against the virus, and those who have already had their first jab are being reminded to make sure they get their second dose.

People not yet vaccinated can book their vaccine online on the NHS website, and can also turn up at walk-in vaccination centres in the district, the details of which are available on the Bradford Council website.