Two more nurses have died from coronavirus, taking the NHS death toll to more than 30, amid an escalating row over the availability of personal protective equipment.
Donna Campbell, 54, died after testing positive for coronavirus and being admitted into intensive care at University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.
Kevin Smith, who worked putting plaster casts on patients at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, South Yorkshire, died from coronavirus after working for the NHS for 35 years.
It came as pharmacy worker Mandy Siddorn, 61, from Birkenhead, Merseyside, died from coronavirus.
Three nurses died from coronavirus yesterday. Experienced nurse Julie Omar, 52, died after treating patients, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said. She had been self-isolating at home after developing symptoms.
Nurse Sara Trollope has died after testing positive for the virus at Watford General Hospital and nurse Gareth Roberts, who had more than 40 years experience, has died, Cardiff and Vale NHS Healthcare Trust said.
A total of 30 frontline workers, including nurses, doctors and hospital staff, have died since the outbreak began.
Donna Campbell, 54, tested positive for coronavirus after being admitted into intensive care at University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff. She has been described as a bubbly personality
Mandy Siddorn, 61, who worked for a pharmacist in the north-west of England died after contracting coronavirus
Kevin Smith, who worked putting plaster casts on patients at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, died after catching coronavirus. Colleagues paid tribute to him as an ‘incredible person’ who ‘loved his job’ and as a man who was ‘renowned for his warm personality’
Tributes have been paid to mother Ms Campbell who was known for singing and dancing patients at the Velindre cancer hospital. She had worked there for 20 years after first gaining a position as a volunteer and could light up a room with bright and bubbly personality.
The Velindre University NHS Trust said: ‘She was often found singing and dancing, entertaining patients and staff, making everyone smile.
‘Donna will always have a special place in our hearts and we will all want to send our heartfelt sympathy and love to her family at this very difficult time.’
‘Our staff and particularly Donna’s team on First Floor Ward, are completely heartbroken that their beautiful, kind-hearted friend and colleague has died’.
‘She was without doubt a treasured member of our work family who could light up a room with her infectious laugh and bubbly personality.
‘But at the same time she had the most wonderful ability to comfort and care for people.’
Mr Smith’s heartbroken daughter Ellie Whitley wrote on social media: ‘It’s so overwhelming to see so many amazing comments for such an incredible person who loved his job and everyone he worked with for many years.
‘Thank you everyone. We will all miss him greatly but never forget him, ever!’
The chief executive at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, Richard Parker OBE, said: ‘I am utterly heartbroken to share the news that Kevin Smith, a well-respected and hugely popular member of our team, has sadly passed away following a brief but courageous battle with Covid-19.
‘A plaster technician and valued member of the team for over 35 years, Kev, as he was known to friends and colleagues, was renowned for his warm personality, diligence and compassion.’
Experienced nurse Julie Omar, 52, has died, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said. She had been self-isolating after developing coronavirus-like symptoms
Ms Omar had been working at the Alexandra hospital, Redditch, before contracting the virus
Tributes have been paid to Ms Siddorn, who worked at Swettenham Chemists Ltd which operates branches across Chester, Wirral and north Wales.
The business said on Friday: ‘It is with much sadness that we acknowledge the loss of one of our Swettenham “family”, Mandy, who passed away as a result of contracting coronavirus.
‘Mandy worked across our Wirral and Chester branches as a registered checking technician, the highest non-pharmacist role, and did so with outstanding professionalism and accuracy.
‘We are all devastated by this tragic loss and our thoughts go out to all who knew her.
‘Mandy is being remembered as a loyal, hardworking, dedicated and joyous friend to all of us. Yesterday was probably the hardest day the teams have ever faced.’
She leaves behind her mother Dorothy, daughter Aimee, son-in-law Steve, granddaughter Molly and sister-in-law Jane.
Mrs Trollope, 51, who has worked at Hillingdon Hospital, died at Watford General Hospital, the Central and North West London (CNWL) NHS Foundation Trust said on Saturday.
The mother-of-four had spent 33 years working for the NHS and has been praised for her empathy and support for older people with dementia.
Medical director Dr Paul Hopper said: ‘Sara had that unbeatable combination of kindness, selflessness and total determination to get things right for patients. She was an example to every one of us.’
Tracy Woods, who set up a fundraiser for Mrs Trollope’s family, said: ‘Sara cared very much about her patients and staff and completely loved her job.
‘Sadly it was the job that cost her life.’
Sara Trollope, 51, was confirmed to have died by Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust. She had previously met Boris Johnson
Nurse Gareth Roberts, who came out of retirement to work for the NHS during the crisis, has also died
Experienced nurse Ms Omar had been working at Redditch’s Alexandra hospital before she contracted the virus.
Trust chief executive Matthew Hopkins said: ‘It is with great sorrow that I have to share with you the sad news that a much-loved member of our nursing team – Julie Omar – has died.’
Nurse Gareth Roberts, who had more than 40 years experience, was also confirmed to have died after testing positive for the virus, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said.
He had come out of retirement to work for the NHS during the crisis.
Paying tribute to Mr Roberts, a nurse since the 1980s, colleagues at the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said: ‘Gareth was well known by everyone and was extremely popular, fun-filled and well-liked person, always greeting everyone with, ‘Hello Cariad’ when he saw them.
‘He had a lovely way with relatives and always offered the caring personal side, he was very much an ‘old school’ nurse.’
Mr Roberts, who is survived by his wife, son and grandson, died at the Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil.
Two porters at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford were also confirmed to have died.
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said on Saturday that both men were married to nursing staff at the hospital.
Dr Bruno Holthof, chief executive officer, and Sir Jonathan Montgomery, chair of the Trust, said: ‘This tragic loss of our two colleagues touches us all.
‘We are a team and every single member of our team is precious. We all need each other and we stand together in honouring the memories of our colleagues.’
Business Secretary Alok Sharma told Sky’s Ridge on Sunday today: ‘It is right that no medical professional should be placed in this position where they have to make that choice.
On Saturday morning, Health Secretary Matt Hancock paid tribute to those who had died, then announcing a total of 19 deaths.
He said: ‘My heart goes out to their families, these are people who have put themselves on the front line.
‘The work is going on to establish whether they caught coronavirus in the line of duty while at work or whether, like so many other people, caught it in the rest of their lives.’
The deaths come amid escalating disputes about the availability of personal protective equipment. The nurses union, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), has advised staff that they can refuse to treat coronavirus patients if adequate equipment is not available.
The government has repeatedly insisted that there is enough equipment on the frontlines while nurses have reported shortages and have even said they have been required to wear bin bags for protection.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma told Sophy Ridge on Sunday that more equipment was being sent to hospitals across the country.
Labour leader Keir Starmer has said there is a ‘mismatch’ between what officials are saying and what is being reported on the frontlines.