Deaths confirmed of three more nurses as UK observes minute’s silence – Nursing Times

The deaths of three more nurses were confirmed today as the UK observed a minutes silence to honour the key workers who have lost their lives during the coronavirus pandemic.

Prime minister Boris Johnson was among those who joined the tribute at 11am as part of International Workers Memorial Day, held each year on 28 April.

She brought pride and passion to her work every single day"

Kath Henderson

More than 50 nursing staff are known to have died in the UK since the coronavirus outbreak began.

The deaths of three more nurses were today confirmed by their employers.

Tributes have been paid to Fiona Anderson, a community staff nurse at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust; Mahadaye Jagroop, a nurse at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust; and Ken Lambatan, a cardiac research nurse at St Georges University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Ms Anderson, pictured above, was described as a "passionate and highly committed nurse who devoted her life to helping others.

She died on 26 April after testing positive for Covid-19.

On behalf of the family, Ms Anderson's sister Sarah Anderson said: "We are incredibly proud of Fiona, she died doing what she loved, working for the NHS and caring for those in need."

Ms Anderson had joined the trust in 2007 and worked as a staff nurse at Sunderland Royal Hospital and South Tyneside District Hospital.

In 2019, she moved into the community and worked within the trusts Sunderland West team at Grindon Lane Primary Care Centre.

Her manager, Kath Henderson, said: We are all absolutely devastated that we have lost our valued friend and colleague Fiona.

There are no words that can describe the loss we are all feeling but we take comfort in knowing just how much Fiona loved her job and how incredibly proud she was to be part of the community team and the important work we do caring for patients.

She brought pride and passion to her work every single day and made such an incredible difference in the lives of so many people in South Tyneside and Sunderland. We will miss you dearly Fiona and will think of you always.

Ms Jagroop, also known as Mary, died on 22 April at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham, where she worked as a nurse.

Lisa Stalley-Green, chief nurse at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, said: Mary was a respected and loved member of our team and touched the lives of many in her distinguished career as a nurse.

Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Marys family, friends and colleagues at this sad time.

Ken Lambatan. Credit: Picture issued by St Georges University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Meanwhile, Jacqueline Totterdell, chief executive at St Georges Hospital, and Professor Jenny Higham, principal of St Georges, University of London, released a joint tribute to Mr Lambatan.

It is believed that Mr Lambatan died on 27 April and was aged in his 30s.

In it, they said: Everyone at St Georges is deeply saddened by the death of Ken, one of our cardiac research nurses.

Ken was very popular with staff, and described as a true gem by those that knew him well.

The statement added that Mr Lambatan was dedicated to his role as a research nurse and was as popular with his patients as he was with colleagues.

Our thoughts go out to his family, friends and colleagues at this time, it added.

The minutes silence today was organised by unions the Royal College of Nursing, the Royal College of Midwives and Unison.

Dave Prentis, Unison general secretary, said it was incredibly touching to see the nation fall silence in honour of lost health, care, council and transport workers.

The sight of government offices, workplaces and homes across the UK pausing for a moment of quiet reflection brought home the overwhelming sense of gratitude we all feel, he added.

While most of us were safe at home, these workers were putting themselves in harms way, saving lives and looking after patients and the elderly in our hospitals and care homes.

He called on the government do everything within its power to ensure frontline workers going forward had the protective equipment they needed, and also had access to Covid-19 testing.

Nursing Timeshasset up a pageto remember the nurses and midwives lost during the pandemic.

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Deaths confirmed of three more nurses as UK observes minute's silence - Nursing Times