Billboard thanks to medical staff

Mr Sullivan said he was warned about a shortage of donors

A liver transplant patient was so happy with the treatment he received in hospital that he put up a billboard poster in a busy street praising staff.

Terry Sullivan said staff at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital's liver unit in Birmingham were "impeccable" and he cannot thank them enough.

The poster, on Harborne High Street in Birmingham, thanks staff at the "best liver unit in the world".

A hospital spokesman said Mr Sullivan's thanks had "gone that extra mile".

The 59-year-old from the Perry Barr area of the city owns a bill-posting company and asked the owners of the billboard if he could use it.

It takes dedication - I know I couldn't do it - and I thought it was about time someone put their hands up and said thanks Terry Sullivan

They have let him use it for free for the rest of this week.

Mr Sullivan underwent a liver transplant on 20 February after waiting for a suitable donor since June last year.

He said staff at the unit warned him about a shortage of donors in this country, prompting him to contact a hospital in the Shanghai area of China.

Mr Sullivan told BBC News he hoped US doctors there would be able to perform the operation sooner.

But, the surgeons in China told him to continue his treatment with the "pioneering, world-class" unit in Birmingham.

Now everyone can see how thankful Mr Sullivan is

Mr Sullivan said the unit eventually found him a match in February but he was let down at the last minute due to a lack of beds. He was then operated on a week later.

"They called to say 'We have got a liver and a bed, can you come in?' so I did," he said.

"People knock everything about life generally, always looking at the bad things and I think they should look at what they've got.

"The staff were impeccable. It takes dedication - I know I couldn't do it - and I thought it was about time someone put their hands up and said thanks.

"I am 60 in June but now I have two birthdays - then and also 20 February, the day of my operation."

A hospital spokesman said the donor shortage in this country is growing. She added that he hoped more people would be aware of that through Mr Sullivan's actions.