Auxiliary nurse, 84, and hospital support worker, 78, among latest NHS staff to die from coronavirus
Auxiliary nurse, 84, and hospital support worker, 78, who both refused to retire are among latest NHS staff to die from coronavirus
- Margaret Tapley died at a hospital in Swindon on Sunday after catching Covid-19
- Sophie Fagan moved to the UK from India in 1961 to train as a nurse
- She died from coronavirus. Ms Fagan at worked at the Homerton trust in London
- Learn more about how to help people impacted by COVID
By Luke Andrews and Chantalle Edmunds For Mailonline
Published: 11:28 EDT, 20 April 2020 | Updated: 14:33 EDT, 20 April 2020
An 84-year-old auxiliary nurse and 78-year-old hospital support worker who both refused to retire are among the latest NHS employees to die from coronavirus.
Margaret Tapley, a grandmother-of-four, died at a hospital in Swindon on Sunday, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust has said. She worked at Witney Community Hospital, Oxfordshire.
And Sophie Fagan, who arrived from India in 1961 aged 16 to begin training as a nurse, died on Sunday after contracting coronavirus. She had worked in nursing for more than 50 years and had been employed at the Homerton University Hospital in Hackney, London.
At least 100 NHS workers have died from Covid-19 since the outbreak began, amid bitter arguments over the availability of PPE and face masks in hospital.
Trade unions representing doctors and nurses have told their members they can refuse to treat patients if they are provided with incorrect protective equipment.
Ms Tapley’s heartbroken granddaughter said her grandmother was like ‘an additional parent’
Ms Tapley’s granddaughter Hannah Tapley, a champion high jumper who has competed for team GB, said her grandmother would text and call her everyday
Ms Tapley’s grandson Ben Wood has paid tribute, telling BBC Radio 5 Live she ‘had such a drive’ and ‘gave her life and dedicated it towards the NHS’.
‘That was the way she was, there would be no talking her out of it,’ he said.
‘She had been working for just over 40 years doing three night shifts a week and she dedicated her life to the end.
‘We always said she would outlive all of us with the energy she had and it is trafic her life has been cut short.’
Her granddaughter Hannah Tapley, a high jumper who has competed for Team GB, said in a heartbreaking social media post she was ‘the most hard working, caring and perfect woman out there’.
‘So many people will have such amazing memories of her as she effected so many people’s lives in such a positive way,’ she said.
‘Everyday she would text and phone me sometimes talking about random things and I will miss this extremely. She was one of my biggest fans and would support me through everything.’
Grandson Tom Wood, who works as a senior nurse in A&E, said Ms Tapley was an ‘inspiration’ to all those around her.
‘She was a huge reason as to why I am a nurse today,’ he said. ‘She took huge pride in her work but was so humble. She embodied the nursing spirit.’
‘Grandma may have been called home in what feels all too early for us left behind but the values, spirit and giving nature that she brought to the world is carried on in us that we’re touched by her life.’
The trust said she worked her last shift on April 10. Chief executive Stuart Bell said Ms Tapley ’embodied all that is best in those working for the NHS’.
‘She was a legend on the ward and more widely throughout the hospital,’ he said.
‘She had worked there for many years, and was remarkable in that she stayed with her team well beyond the point when many others would have retired.’
Sophie Fagan, front row second left, arrived from India in 1961 to begin her nurse training. She has died aged 78 after contracting coronavirus. Picture: Homerton Hospital
Ms Fagan was described as a ‘Homerton legend’ by friend Grahame Dick, who said she will be ‘always part of the family’ at the hospital.
He said: ‘Sophie started working as a nurse when I was two years old and was still giving her all 54 years later, still loving it.
‘A Homerton legend, always part of the family. We will miss her.’
The Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said Sophie had ‘refused to fully retire’ and was ‘part of the healthcare fabric in Hackney’.
CEO Tracey Fletcher said: ‘Sophie was 78 when she died and still working. She refused to fully retire and although she did reduce her hours she was often to be found meeting relatives and supporting staff in hospital when she wasn’t due to be.
‘Sophie wanted to make a difference and caring for the elderly was her passion.
‘Given her energy, enthusiasm and the fact that she was seemingly ever present on the site, it is hard to believe she qualified as an enrolled nurse in the Eastern Hospital, Hackney in 1966.’
Ms Fagan set up the Carers Support Network in her area and had continued to be actively involved. ‘She will be sadly missed by the health care community in Homerton and across Hackney,’ Ms Fletcher said. She had been working at the Homerton to support carers, the Hackney Gazette reports.
Homerton Hospital nurse Michael Allieu, who has died after contracting coronavirus
Her death came a day after acute care nurse Michael Allieu, 53, also died from coronavirus. He was also employed by the Homerton Trust.
Paying tribute to Michael Allieu, Ms Fletcher added: ‘Michael was a vibrant, larger than life character on our acute care unit, and was well known and very well liked throughout the hospital. He will be greatly missed by all his colleagues both in the ACU and the wider Homerton Hospital community.
‘Our thoughts and condolences are with his family at this sad time.’
Tributes have poured in for doctors and nurses that have lost their lives while fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
A nurse with more than 40 years experience died at Royal Stoke University Hospital, North Staffordshire, on Sunday.
The University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust confirmed the death of Patrick McManus, a nurse at Stafford’s County Hospital.
An extremely well-liked and valued member of the team, Mr McManus had worked at the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary before transferring to Stafford, where he had been for around 10 years.
The University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust confirmed the death of Patrick McManus, a nurse at Stafford’s County Hospital
Tracy Bullock, the chief executive of the University Hospitals North Midlands NHS Trust, said: ‘We are deeply saddened to confirm a member of staffs has died due to Covid-19.
‘Patrick McManus was an extremely well-liked and valued member of the nursing team at County Hospital. He had been a nurse for more than 40 years and had worked at North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary prior to working in Stafford.
‘He was a loveable character and brought kindness and compassion to all his patients which was acknowledged by the number of compliments and thank you messages he received.
‘Patrick was an exceptional leader and took staff and students under his wing. His big Irish personality will be sorely missed by his friends and colleagues at UHNM.’
A 34-year-old domestic supervisor from Northampton Hospital, Joanna Klenczon, an NHS healthcare assistant, Chrissie Emerson from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn, Norfolk and a 58-year-old occupational therapist for Medway Community, Vivek Sharma, have also lost their lives as a result of contracting the virus.
Their deaths come as doctors have responded with fury to the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Jenny Harries’ claim that people are not being ‘adult’ about PPE supplies amid growing calls for a public inquiry into NHS equipment shortages.
The youngest worker to die out of the five, Joanna Klenczon, 34, worked at the Northampton General Hospital (NGH) for 10 years before her death on April 9.
Joanna Klenczon a 34-year-old domestic supervisor who worked at the Northampton General Hospital (NGH) for 10 years before her death on April 9 after contracting Covid-19
Paying tribute to her, a spokesman for the NGH NHS trust said she was ‘well-liked and respected by everyone she worked with’.
The spokesman said Ms Klenczon died after ‘receiving the best care we could provide’.
In a statement, the Trust said: ‘Joanna had worked at NGH for the past 10 years and her colleagues remember her as someone who was courteous, polite, a good organiser and team member who set high standards, and was prepared to go the extra mile.
‘Joanna was well liked and respected by everyone she worked with.
‘Our thoughts are with Joanna’s family at this time and we offer them our sincere condolences.’
Dr Sonia Swart, chief executive at the Trust said: ‘Joanna touched the lives of so many people at NGH and she will be missed by everyone who knew or worked with her.
‘We are offering our support to our staff during this difficult time whilst we all mourn the loss of one of our team members.
‘We would ask that the privacy of Joanna’s family, friends and colleagues is respected at this time.’
Chrissie Emerson, a healthcare assistant, was praised by colleagues and patients as a ‘much loved’ member of staff at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn, Norfolk.
NHS healthcare assistant Chrissy Emerson who died after testing positive for coronavirus. She worked at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn, Norfolk
News of Mrs Emerson’s death was revealed in a joint statement by the hospital trust’s CEO Caroline Shaw, and its trust chairman Professor Steve Barnett.
The statement said: ‘Everyone at QEH is today coming to terms with the devastating news that one of our own healthcare assistants has died after testing positive for COVID-19.
‘The whole family at QEH is deeply saddened at losing Chrissie Emerson who was such a valued colleague, and much-loved wife to Michael and cherished mother and grandmother.
‘We have been in touch with Chrissie’s family to extend our condolences on behalf of everyone at QEH and to offer appropriate support.
Meanwhile the death has also been announced of occupational therapist Vivek Sharma, 58, who worked for Medway Community Healthcare. He died on Friday. Mr Sharma was described as gentle soul who was kind and generous time and again.
Mr Sharma leaves behind two sons, one of whom was due to be married this year.
In a statement issued on Monday, Kent-based Medway Community Healthcare said: ‘We are sad to announce that Vivek Sharma, our clinical falls lead, died on Friday.
Occupational therapist Vivek Sharma who died on Friday after becoming ill with Covid-19
‘He had been isolating as a vulnerable member of staff due to underlying health conditions, and became ill with coronavirus.
‘Vivek was married with two sons, one due to marry this year. He was a valued member of MCH staff and an occupational therapist by background, and most recently worked in the falls team at Walter Brice Centre.
‘He was a member of EMF (our employee forum), passionate about being a voice and advocate for staff and always happy to help.
‘On behalf of the executive team, the board, and Vivek’s colleagues, we have spoken to his family and expressed our condolences.
‘Our thoughts are with Vivek’s family and friends, with his immediate team, with those who worked closely with him, and with anyone who met and knew him.’
The latest healthcare workers deaths come Dr Jenny Harries slapped down critics of the government’s efforts to make sure frontline workers have adequate PPE.
She said there needed to be a ‘more adult, and more detailed conversation about PPE supplies’ as she insisted the UK was an ‘international exemplar in preparedness’.
Her comments sparked anger among healthcare chiefs who said they had been ‘sounding the alarm’ on the apparent lack of PPE available in some settings ‘for months’.
The government is now facing increasing pressure to launch a formal probe into the supply of PPE.
Ministers are today facing fresh criticism on the issue after a vital shipment of protective equipment from Turkey looks set to be delayed again.
The delay in the arrival of the 84-tonne delivery, which includes 400,000 protective gowns, comes amid reports that some hospitals could be on the verge of running out of some equipment.
Medical bodies said shortages meant doctors and nurses would effectively have to choose between exposing themselves to the virus or ‘letting a patient die on their watch’.
Dr Jenny Harries (pictured) said ‘we could perhaps have a more adult, and more detailed conversation about PPE supplies’ as the government comes under fire over its efforts to protect NHS staff from coronavirus
Responding to Dr Harries’ comments about PPE, Dr Rinesh Parmar of The Doctors’ Association UK told The Guardian: ‘Doctors have indeed been having both ‘adult and detailed conversations’ about the sheer lack of personal protective equipment for months, all of which have fallen on deaf ears.
‘Since late February the Doctors’ Association UK and frontline doctors have been sounding the alarm about potential shortages, which have been met with misplaced reassurances that the UK has sufficient supplies.’
Dr Parmar is now leading demands for a public inquiry, telling LBC Radio: ‘We have been collecting signatures on a petition calling for a full and frank public inquiry into what’s happening with PPE to commence after all this is over with Covid-19 and we’ve had a chance to recover.’
Meanwhile the UK has today announced 450 more coronavirus deaths – the fewest for a fortnight.
England declared 429 deaths, Scotland 12 and Wales nine. Northern Ireland has yet to announce its daily update, and an all-UK round-up with an adjusted total is expected later this afternoon.
The number is a fall on the 596 fatalities announced yesterday, Sunday, and half as many as the day before that (888). It is the lowest number since April 6, when 439 victims were confirmed.
Although the statistics are known to drop after a weekend, the sharp fall adds to growing evidence that the peak of the UK’s epidemic has blown over.
