NHS Workers who have died from Covid-19

Gareth Roberts
Gareth Roberts had worked as a nurse at sites across the Cardiff and Vale health board since the 1980s.
Mr Roberts had retired in December 2014 before returning to work in January 2015.
The health board said he was "extremely popular, fun-filled and well-liked", while staff said he was a "kind and helpful person".
Mr Roberts died at the Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil.
He is survived by his wife, son and grandson.
Julie Omar, 52
Julie Omar had been working as a sister on Ward 14 at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch, and had also previously worked with the trauma team at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
She was a "much-loved member" of its nursing team, said the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, and a "dedicated and highly experienced trauma and orthopaedics nurse".
She had developed symptoms and was self-isolating, but her condition deteriorated and she died at home on Friday.
Mrs Omar, leaves a husband, Laith, and a grown-up daughter.
In a letter sent to staff, trust chief executive Matthew Hopkins said it "brings the tragic consequences of this outbreak even closer to home than it already was".
He thanked them for their "continuing commitment and dedication" during the pandemic.
April 7
Alice Kit Tak Ong, the Royal Free Hospital
The daughter of an NHS nurse who died after testing positive for coronavirus has called for the public to value the health service like her mother did.
Alice Kit Tak Ong, 70, arrived in London from Hong Kong in the 1970s and worked for the health service for 44 years, up until the day she fell ill two weeks ago. She passed away from coronavirus on Tuesday.
Her daughter, Melissa Ong, described her mother as a "wonderful woman" who was "generous to everyone else before herself".
"She loved her job... that was her life... she loved the NHS."
"My mother came here from Hong Kong to work for the NHS because she believed it was the best in the world.
"It's only now people are kind of realising the strength of the NHS... You see people clapping on the streets, but it shouldn't take something like this to bring the nation together to be thankful.
"We should value healthcare workers in good times and bad times."
April 6
Jitendra Rathod, University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff
An "incredibly dedicated" heart surgeon has died after testing positive for Covid-19.
Jitendra Rathod, 58, was an associate specialist in cardio-thoracic surgery at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.
He died in the hospital's general intensive care unit early on Monday morning, health officials confirmed.
A statement posted on the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board website paid tribute to Mr Rathod.
It said the father-of-two had worked in the Department of Cardio-Thoracic surgery since the mid-1990s.
After a brief stint abroad, Mr Rathod - known as Jitu to colleagues and friends - returned to the University Hospital of Wales.
"He was an incredibly dedicated surgeon who cared deeply for his patients," the health board said. "He was well-liked and greatly respected by one and all. He was a very compassionate and a wonderful human being.
"His commitment to the speciality was exemplary. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
"We will miss him greatly."
April 5
Rebecca Mack, Newcastle
Rebecca Mack from Morpeth in Northumberland passed away at home on Sunday and her family said she had no underlying health problems.
Ms Mack recently started working for NHS 111, but was previously a children's cancer nurse and parents of those she once cared for paid tribute to the 29-year-old.
Aman Sengal, whose daughter was cared for by Ms Mack in the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, said she was a “selfless person”.
“A life taken far too soon and that of a selfless person dedicated to others. RIP Becca,” he wrote on social media. 
Another parent, Ashley Oakly, said Ms Mack cared for her son in “his darkest days undergoing cancer treatment”.
“She still entered the room with a huge smile and a huge heart, truly dedicated to her job and a credit to the unit.”
Writing in a tribute on Facebook, Ms Mack’s best friend said Sarah Bredkin-Kemp: “She was the most accident-prone, stubborn, chatterbox with a bizarre catchphrase and inappropriate joke for every occasion. Her iconic love of leopard print and statement earrings was rivaled only by Pat Butcher herself.
“She worked hard and made her family proud every single day. She was so proud of her work and so happy to have such amazing work friends. She would spend hours on the phone if you needed a rant and always had a bottle of wine in the fridge for the girls. She knew exactly how to make you laugh. She was fiercely independent and I have no doubt she would have kept achieving.
“Please stay as safe as you possibly can and please make sure your friends know how much you love them. This nightmare isn't over yet and it really shows that being low risk doesn't mean you're safe.”
Ms Mack is one of the youngest healthcare workers in the UK to die after contracting Covid-19.
April 4
Anton Sebastianpillai, Kingston Hospital
Dr Sebastianpillai died four days after being admitted to the south west London hospital where he had worked.
The consultant geriatrician, who qualified as a doctor in Sri Lanka in 1967, finished his last shift on March 20.
A spokeswoman for Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: "It is with great sadness that I confirm the death of a consultant geriatrician who was part of the team at Kingston Hospital.
"Dr Anton Sebastianpillai died on Saturday having been cared for in the hospital's intensive care unit since March 31.
"We would like to extend our sincere condolences to his family."
Dr Sebastianpillai trained at the Peradeniya Medical School in Sri Lanka and qualified in 1967.
In an obituary notice, he was referred to as a "distinguished alumnus".
John Alagos, Watford
Mr Alagos, 23, is the youngest nurse known to have succumbed to coronavirus.
He collapsed and died at home after an exhausting 12-hour shift treating Covid-19 patients at Watford General Hospital.
His mother, Gina Gustilo, 50, claimed he had fallen ill at work but was not allowed to go home because his ward was so short-staffed.
She also said her son had not been wearing the right protective clothing at work.
Mr Alagos returned home from a night shift on April 3, saying he had been suffering with a headache and high temperature throughout the night.
Mrs Gustilo told the Mail on Sunday: “I asked ‘Why didn't you come home?’ He said he had asked other staff but they said they were short of staff and they did not let him go.  “I said, ‘OK, take some paracetamol.’ After a few minutes, I found him turning blue in his bed.”
Watford General Hospital said in a statement: “Our staff are fully briefed on the symptoms of Covid-19 and we would never expect anyone to remain at work if they were showing these symptoms or indeed were unwell in any way.
“We have always kept our staff updated on the latest PPE guidance to make sure they have the right level of protection.” A spokeswoman added: “John was very popular and will be missed greatly.”Glen Corbin, Brent, north west London
Colleagues have paid tribute to Mr Corbin, a healthcare worker who came out of retirement to help with the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Corbin worked at Park Royal Centre for Mental Health for many years, joining shortly after it opened in 1995.
Although he had retired, he had recently returned to work in both acute and rehabilitation services.
Claire Murdoch, head of Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, described Mr Corbin as part of the "backbone" of the team.
"He was the 'go to' person who knew everything about the ward and how to get things done," she said.
"Glen was a much-loved colleague and will be sorely missed. "Our condolences to his family, friends and loved ones at this sad and difficult time."
April 3
Liz Glanister, Royal Liverpool University Hospital
Grandmother Ms Glanister, a nurse at Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool, died after testing positive for coronavirus.
Dianne Brown, chief nurse at the Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, confirmed her death "with great sadness."
She added: "All our thoughts are with Liz's family at this time and we offer them our sincere condolences. Liz will be sadly missed by all those who knew and worked with her."
Areema Nasreen, Walsall Manor Hospital
Mrs Nasreem, a 36-year-old staff nurse died in the hospital where she had worked for 16 years.
The mother-of-three, who had no underlying health issues, developed coronavirus symptoms on March 13, whilst on annual leave.
She was thought to have rallied but relapsed and died shortly after midnight at Walsall Manor Hospital in the West Midlands.
Her best friend Rubi Aktar wrote on Facebook: "My heart is broken. She fought and fought but Allah decided to take her.  "She was the most loveliest, genuine person you could ever meet, she went above and beyond for everyone she met.
"I can’t believe I will not see your smile again. With your support, motivation and inspiration I am the nurse that I am today and I hope I can do you proud Areema.
“You had so much to live for, I am sorry you didn’t get to see your kids grow up and I’m sorry that you didn’t get to complete your career."
Her sister, Kazeema, said the family was “heartbroken” but praised the hospital staff who had gone “above and beyond”, according to BirminghamLive.
Mrs Nasreem qualified as a staff nurse in January last year and had been working on the hospital’s Acute Medical Unit.
She had revealed she hoped to encourage more people from Muslim backgrounds into nursing, saying: "I would like to think that I can inspire others. I cry every morning because I am so happy that I have finally realised my dream of becoming a nurse.
“I would like to think that I could inspire others; particularly within Muslim communities.”
April 2
Prof Mohamed Sami Shousha, London

Prof Shousha, 79, a father-of-two, died in London after contracting the virus around two weeks earlier.

"He was very keen on going to work on his final days despite the health hazards,"  his nephew Abdelrahman Shousha told Middle Eastern Eye.
"However, most likely, his work did not involve direct contact with Covid-19 patients."
Prof Shousha had been working at Charing Cross Hospital since 1978, where he managed the breast histopathology service, which concerns changes in tissues caused by disease.
He was also an honorary professor of histopathology at Imperial College and worked at UK cancer research laboratories at London's Hammersmith and Charing Cross hospitals.
Lynsay Coventry, Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust
Ms Coventry, 54, was the first serving midwife in England to be killed by the virus.
She had worked at the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) in Harlow, Essex, for ten years and was described by colleagues as a "proud" midwife who was "very well respected."
Ms Coventry's family said: "Our hearts are broken at the loss of our loving, wonderful and caring mum, sister, daughter and grandmother.
“Her love for us all was unfailing and her strength in the way she cared and supported us will fill our memories.
"What we also know is how proud she was to be an NHS midwife. Lynsay followed her dream and trained as a midwife later in life.
"It was a role she committed herself to and saw the midwifery team at the Princess Alexandra Hospital as her other family. She was a very well-respected midwife who supported many hundreds of women as they welcomed their babies into the world.”
Lance McCarthy, chief executive of the PAH NHS Trust, said Ms Coventry would be remembered for “her professionalism and commitment to the women she supported.”
A photograph of colleagues on the maternity unit, lined up with their heads bowed in tribute, was posted on Facebook as friends described her as a “much loved” member of the team and a “true superhero.”
Aimee O’Rourke, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital, Margate
Mother-of-three Ms Rourke was described as an “angel” who would “wear her NHS crown forever” after losing her life to coronavirus.
The 39-year-old nurse died where she worked, at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) in Margate, Kent.
Her daughter, Megan Murphy, described her as an "angel".
Ms Rourke joined the QEQM's Acute Medical Unit as a newly qualified nurse in 2017.
Ward manager Julie Gammon said the whole team was devastated by her death.
 "She was such a kind and caring nurse, and she had a really special relationship with her patients and colleagues," she said.
"Nursing was something she had always wanted to do, although she came to it relatively late after raising her girls.
“She took some time out to care for her mum after she was diagnosed with cancer and she was determined to return and to make her mum proud."
When Ms Rourke first arrived at the hospital with Covid-19 symptoms, she asked for  her boss.
Ms Gammon added: “It was an honour to be able to be with her and to provide some comfort and I am so glad that I was able to do so.” 
Ms Rourke's daughter, Megan Murphy, wrote on Facebook: "Look at all the lives you looked after and all the families you comforted when patients passed away.
"You are an angel and you will wear your NHS crown forevermore.
"I could go on all day long and have so many things to say but I have to be strong!! Night night mummy."
March 31
Dr Alfa Sa'adu, Whittington Hospital
Dr Saadu, 68, became the fourth medic to die from coronavirus in the UK, two weeks after contracting it.
Dr Saadu’s family - a wife and two sons - said he was so determined to treat patients after he retired that he carried on working part time.
“My dad was a living legend,” his son Dani said. “Up until he got sick, he was still working part-time saving people.
“He was a very passionate man, who cared about saving people. As soon as you spoke to him about medicine his face would light up.”
Dr Saadu, originally from Nigeria, worked for the NHS for 40 years in hospitals across London, stepping down as medical director of the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust in 2016.
March 29
Thomas Harvey, Upper Clapton
Mr Harvey, a mental health nurse at Goodmayes Hospital in north east London, passed away on Sunday 29th March after contracting Covid-19 from a hospital patient.
His daughter, Tamira Harvey, said her father was “let down” by the government, who she blames for his death, due to the lack of protective equipment he was given while treating patients.
“My dad was definitely let down. I don’t feel that they [NHS staff] are safe at the moment, I don’t think that they would think that they’re safe,” she told ITV News.
“The Government could have prevented this. If they invested some money into protective equipment for nurses, because they are really on the frontline and putting their lives at risk every day.”
Mr Harvey was a father of seven and worked as a nurse in the NHS for 20 years.
March 28
Amged El-Hawrani, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester
Dr Amged El-Hawrani, 55, an ear, nose and throat specialist, worked at Queen's Hospital, Burton, and was the third medic to die of coronavirus in the UK.
His family paid tribute to a "loving and much-loved husband, son, father, brother and friend".
Mr El- Hawrani had not seen any patients for a number of weeks and had been receiving treatment in intensive care.
His son, Ashraf, said: "Most of my dad's time was dedicated towards his family, and the rest of that time was dedicated towards his profession.
"He taught me the significance of respect and equality. He also stressed the importance of not worrying about the things I cannot control, which he displayed to me right up until the end of his life.
"He did not seek the praise and approval of others, he was satisfied by viewing the positive effects of his actions and the wellbeing of his family.
"I am incredibly proud to say that, for 18 years of my life, Amged El-Hawrani was my father."
March 26
Pooja Sharma, East Sussex
Pharmacist Pooja Sharma, 33, died a day after her father - both passing away from coronavirus.
Ms Sharma, who worked at the Eastbourne District General Hospital in East Sussex, was admitted to intensive care three days before she died.
Paying tribute to their friend, Mr Sharma’s loved ones said her laugh was “contagious” and that she gave her friends “nothing but love, support and a tummy ache with all the laughter.”
March 25
Dr Habib Zaidi, Southend Hospital
Dr Zaidi, a family GP, is thought to be the first doctor in the UK to have been killed by coronavirus. The 76-year-old, from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, died in intensive care just 24 hours after being taken ill.
His daughter Dr Sarah Zaidi, also a GP, said the knowledge that coronavirus had taken him was “too much to bear.”
She added: “It is reflective of his sacrifice. He had a vocational attitude to service.”
Dr Zaidi had been self isolating at home and had not seen patients for a week before he died.
He and his wife, Dr Talat Zaidi, 70, were both managing partners of Eastwood Group Practice and had served three generations of families in the area for nearly 50 years.
Their daughter added: "We can't mourn in the normal way. We can't have a normal funeral.
"He left a gaping hole in our hearts, but a loss that is also felt within the community that he devoted almost his entire life to. We are praying for the safety of everyone right now."
Dr Adil El Tayar, West Middlesex University Hospital
Dr El Tayar, a renowned organ transplant specialist, was the first working NHS surgeon to die from coronavirus in Britain.
He is thought to have contracted the illness while working in the A&E department at Hereford County Hospital, where he had volunteered to help fight the pandemic.
The Sudanese locum, 63, had no idea that the patient he was treating had coronavirus, family said.
Dr El Tayar had been self-isolating after developing symptoms around mid-March and he was admitted to hospital on 20 March.
He tested positive for coronavirus and spent his final days in intensive care.
His cousin, Dr Hisham El Khidir, a Norfolk consultant, warned that doctors were “sitting ducks” and said more testing could have saved Dr El Tayar’s life.
“His son was really scared that he wasn't going to make it,” he said. “This disease is horrible and is going to cause more heartbreak for many more families for weeks to come.”
Dr El Tayar’s career saw him work at hospitals around the world, including in Saudi Arabia, Sudan and two of London's biggest hospitals - St Mary's and St George's.