Thread by @tortoise

Today we meet a diverse group of frontline staff at @uclh.

In this powerful collection of portraits, they share how the pandemic has impacted their work and their lives, with photographer @tompilston #TheReckoning

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“Humbled, exhausted – but fulfilled.”

Nathasha Chu, physiotherapist

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“This is busy, demanding and you have to be on the ball. But seeing a patient who you thought was in trouble walk out of the ward, that gives you great pride.”

Anthony Smith, patient support assistant

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“I can’t sleep. What if I catch it and bring it home? [My family] say ‘don’t go,’ but I have to go. We argue, and I am in tears on the bus. My best friend died of Covid-19 in three days.”

Josie Ednalig, caterer
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“When you are able to make a human corridor of applause for a patient who was supposed to die, it is something special. As one walked out, I couldn’t help thinking, ‘has her son put the dinner on?’”

Martelle Henry, nurse educator
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“I said no to staying at home. I’m feeling good helping those that need it.”

James Burton, porter who suffers from asthma
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“Now it is calmer, but when I walk through the wards I still see the faces of the patients from the peak. Some made it; others didn’t. I have flashbacks.”

Su Silwal, trainee nursing associate
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“I passed it on to my family. I felt so guilty.”

Uma Bhatta, deputy sister who contracted Covid-19
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“People are dying with no build up to death, no ability to have conversations and to say goodbye when they go into critical care. Even as a hardened professional, this has been difficult.”

Dr Jane Neerkin, palliative care consultant
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“Taking patients to the morgue changed how I look at life. It is precious and fragile – make the most of it.”

Gloria Serwaa, staff nurse
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