Nurse who returned to the frontline ‘sacrificed life for his patients’, family tells ITV News – ITV News

Simon Harris Political Correspondent

A London nurse who died with coronavirus "sacrificed his life for his patients", his family said today.

Ken Lambatan went back to frontline nursing after working in a research laboratory at St George's Hospital, Tooting.

Speaking to ITV News from the Philippines his brother Ezel said the 33-year-old was fit and healthy with no obvious medical condition before he caught the virus.

Mr Lambatan, who specialised in the treatment of heart patients, answered a call for extra nursing staff to cope with the coronavirus surge.

He was taken to St Thomas's Hospital by ambulance after falling ill and spent more than a week on a ventilator. He died on Monday.

His brother described him as a hero.

My brother told us London is in dire need of frontliners such as nurses because the cases are high so they were called to action.

My mother, she was very very apprehensive about my brother going to the frontlines and handling such critical cases.

He just asked my mum to pray. It's heartbreaking that we can't even hold his hand. We didn't have the chance to hold his hand and see him in the flesh.The term hero is really befitting for him. One thing is for sure, I'm very very proud of him.

EZEL LAMBATAN, BROTHER

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. He was dedicated to his role as a research nurse here at St Georges, 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.

Jacqueline Totterdell, Chief Executive of St Georges Hospital

Last updated Wed 29 Apr 2020

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Nurse who returned to the frontline 'sacrificed life for his patients', family tells ITV News - ITV News