LAST month James Callaghan was fighting for his life against sepsis and next week he will be battling in the local council elections to represent Wordsley on Dudley Council.

The 46-year-old was rushed to Russells Hall Hospital on March 11 after being diagnosed with urosepsis. He initially thought he had a fever and did not realise the severity of his condition until doctors said he was hours from slipping into a coma.

Thanks to the care of NHS staff at the hospital, James says he is now 'fighting fit' and how vowed to fight for the NHS after his sepsis battle.

He said: "When you're in the thick of it you are really thankful for what they do. Sepsis is really serious, one in three people with the condition die from it.

"I believe in keeping our NHS as far away from private firms as possible - it is a valued institution and is now closer to my heart than ever. I will fight to keep it public funded and to hold the government to account wherever I can. The staff work extremely hard in difficult circumstances and should be supported by better working conditions and pay."

James was diagnosed just as he started running the campaign as the Labour candidate for Wordsley, and now he is back to full health he has had to squeeze his campaign into four weeks.

In that time he says he has been able to get to grips with the issues that matter to people on the doorstep, namely littering, dog fouling, housing development, dangerous parking on Kinver Street and high levels of air pollution.

Mr Callaghan added: "It feels as if Wordsley has been ignored as it has been seen as an easy win for the Conservatives.

"I'm feeling confident, people have been interested in what we have to say.

"My philosophy is simple. Councillors should be accountable and not invisible. If they are unable to show that they have made a radical impact in our community then they should step aside and let someone else do the job."

Current Wordsley councillor Matt Rogers, who is aiming to keep his seat on May 2, defended the Conservatives record on the NHS and insisted it will be not be privatised.

He said: "The NHS faces lots of challenges, but nobody’s going to break it up or privatise it. Having been in government for nine years I think there would have been some evidence of privatisation by now if it was going to happen. Our Conservative NHS long term plan will protect the health service now and for generations to come.

"We'll be spending an extra £20.5 billion a year in real terms by 2023-24.

"This means more money is being invested now in our NHS than ever before and we see the results at Russell’s Hall, with A&E waiting times down, more doctors being employed, more qualified nurses and a significant increase in midwives this year.

"From the response I’ve received from canvassing, the residents of Wordsley have expressed their concerns with community safety, not the NHS. Mr Callaghan should concentrate on what the residents of Wordsley really want, especially more police presence and support, to reduce the amount of burglaries and vehicle thefts, and provide a safer community."

Councillor Rogers added: "I have visited hundreds of residents in Wordsley in the past few months and have already assisted with numerous issues that have been addressed. I have been a councillor for four years and really enjoy talking to local residents. We have had a great response on the doorstep, but I am not taking anything for granted.

"Wordsley is one of the most marginal wards in our Borough and this year it will be a very close fight and I urge residents not to waste their vote. However, it is anticipated there will be a low turnout due to people being fed up with more national politics In both main parties. This is a very local election and totally separate from national issues, especially Brexit."

The Wordsley seat will be contested on May 2 by James Callaghan (Labour), Alexander Home (Liberal Democrats), current councillor Matt Rogers (Conservative) and Jennifer Slater-Reid (Green Party).