A ‘well-respected’ and highly valued’ social worker who made a ‘valuable contribution to support children in care’ has become the latest health worker to die of coronavirus.
Muhammad Islam, who worked with young people leaving care at Birmingham Children’s Trust, died on Thursday, the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) announced.
Following the Mr Islam’s death, the BASW said it would continue to lobby for all social workers on the front line to get ‘vital’ personal protective equipment.
BASW chief executive Ruth Allen said: ‘Social workers form a tight-knit community and this tragic news has hugely affected us.
Social worker Muhammad Islam, who worked with young people leaving care at Birmingham Children’s Trust, died on Thursday. (Stock image)
‘We send our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Muhammad.
‘Dreadfully, we don’t know how many others there are, or how many social workers are suffering from the virus right now.
‘What we do know is that social workers continue to work tirelessly, knocking on doors, delivering vital services out in communities, and thus, like their health colleagues, are at greater personal risk.’
Paying tribute to Mr Islam, the chief executive of Birmingham Children’s Trust, Andy Couldrick, said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the passing of Muhammad after a battle with Covid-19 over the past few weeks.
‘Muhammad was a well-respected, well-liked and highly valued member of our care leavers’ team who supported many young people in Birmingham.
‘Muhammad was passionate about providing the best care for young people and he will be sorely missed by his colleagues and the young people he supported, and our thoughts are with his family and friends.’
Kate Booth, cabinet member for children’s wellbeing, said: ‘On behalf of Birmingham City Council I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to Muhammad’s family, friends and work colleagues for their sad loss.
‘Muhammad had worked for many years making a valuable contribution to support children in care and care leavers in Birmingham and will be very much missed.’
A JustGiving page has now been set up in the social worker’s memory to support children’s charities chosen by his family and has already raised £817.
Following Mr Islam’s death, a JustGiving page has been set up in the his memory and has already raised £817
In 2005, Mr Islam, who grew up in the 1960s in Gateshead, told The Guardian how at the age of 16 he joined the British National Party along with his friend as it was seen as a ‘cool thing to do’ during the 60s.
However by the time he was 19 he drew away from the party and in 1989, while walking past a secondhand book stall by the Royal Festival Hall, bought a book which he described had the ‘most beautiful picture’, only to find out when he got home he it was the Qur’an.
From this point onwards, the social worker began to draw closer to the religion and would regularly go and debate with Muslims at Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park.
Mr Islam’s death comes just weeks after the BASW announced the death of another social worker who worked for Southwark Council.
A statement from BASW read: ‘The employee is reported to have worked for Southwark Council, who have stated losing a second colleague to the deadly virus too.
‘Currently, we are not fully aware of all the details including whether the employee was likely to have contracted Covid-19 due to their job role, but will be following developments closely.
‘We would like to send our heartfelt condolences to the families of the two people who have lost their lives in these awful circumstances.’
Yesterday it was announced that paramedic Charlie Goodwin, 61, who had worked for First 4 Care for more than 20 years, was rushed to the intensive care unit at King’s Mill Hospital, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, on April 8 after presenting with the symptoms of Covid-19.
However the father-of-three, who was described by his wife Julie as ‘kind’ and ‘dedicated’ passed away on April 20.
Yesterday it was announced that Charlie Goodwin, 61, who worked for First 4 Care, was rushed to the intensive care unit at King’s Mill Hospital, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, on April 8 had died
Dr Yusuf Patel, who was a GP partner and founder of the Woodgrange NHS Medical Practice in Forest Gate, East London, has also died from Covid-19
Following Mr Goodwin’s death, his wife Julie, who had been married to the health worker for 26 years, told Nottinghamshire Live: ‘He was very kind and had an extra special relationship with his son because he supported Manchester City and his son supported Manchester United, which led to some interesting moments in the house.
‘He was totally dedicated to his job. He loved the job and he wanted to get straight out there (during the pandemic).
She continued: ‘It’s a horrible virus. He went in with breathing difficulties, he could not talk or stand up. The next thing I know he is on a ventilator.
‘We could not go to hospital and I could not go with him to hospital and we cannot even go and see him in the chapel of rest. We can only have 15 people at his funeral.
‘It has been really hard. It’s terrible. But I’ve got a really good family and good friends. I just want to tell people to stay in and stop being stupid.’
This week Dr Yusuf Patel, who was a GP partner and founder of the Woodgrange NHS Medical Practice in Forest Gate, East London, also died from Covid-19.
The doctor, who graduated from Sheffield Medical School in 1984, was being treated at Whipps Cross Hospital.
Following his death a spokesperson for Woodgrange NHS Medical Practice in Forest Gate said: ‘It is with a very heavy heart that we have to inform you of the sad loss of Dr Yusuf Ismail Patel, GP principal and founder of Woodgrange NHS Medical Practice.
‘After a valiant struggle with Covid, Dr Patel finally succumbed to his illness on Monday 20 April.
Healthcare workers have been paying tribute to NHS mental health counsellor Ann Shepherd, 80, from Leicester, who died earlier this week
‘This is a tragic loss to all his family, friends, colleagues and patients. The pain is immeasurable. He has touched and enriched many lives and we miss him dearly.’
Today, healthcare workers paid tribute to NHS mental health counsellor Ann Shepherd, 80, from Leicester, who died earlier this week.
Described as a ‘phenomenal character, full of colour and sparkle’, Ms Shepherd, had worked at the Moir Medical Centre in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, for 26 years.
Following the tragic announcement, Ifti Majid, chief executive of the Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘Ann was a wonderful colleague, held in very high esteem by all she worked with. She was truly devoted to her work and her patients and was inspirational in her field.
‘She was also a phenomenal character, full of colour and sparkle.
‘Ann always made time for members of her team. I understand that even after her provisional diagnosis of Covid-19, Ann would call to check if colleagues were OK and if they need any support.
‘Ann was a true professional, who touched the lives of many. She made a tremendous difference to a lot of people’s lives and she was highly respected by patients and colleagues alike.
‘Ann is a very sad loss to the trust and those she worked alongside at Moir Medical Centre. My thoughts are with Ann’s family, her many friends and colleagues at this very sad time.’
Ms Shepherd’s colleagues have also paid tribute to her, saying: ‘The team at Moir Medical Centre are deeply saddened by the loss of Ann.
‘Based at the Moir Medical Centre for over 26 years, Ann was an integral and highly regarded member of our team.
‘Ann was more than a work colleague. Her support for other members of the practice team and her contribution to life within the practice was outstanding.
‘She could always be relied upon for honest and compassionate advice for patients and staff.
‘She had a huge impact on her patients, who would speak favourably of their treatment with her for years afterwards. Her enthusiasm for her work was an inspiration to all. She will be sincerely missed.’
Meanwhile paramedic Ian Reynolds, who worked at New Addington, near Croydon, south London, has also died after contracting coronavirus.
The father-of-two, who was also a UNISON union rep, worked for the service for 32 years and was still as active as ever until falling ill with Covid 19 last month.
A Unison statement said: ‘Ian embodied all the values of the union – a wise, experienced and popular man who had time for everybody and could relate to his colleagues, members and patients alike – regardless of their background or identity – with an ease that endeared him to everyone he came across
‘In addition to his tireless union and frontline work, Ian was the principle liaison between the LAS and all the Croydon care homes, using his easy charm and wit to build bridges, as he did everywhere he went.
‘He was a passionate union man, a devoted Crystal Palace fan and an unapologetic mod.
‘He loved his music, consuming live gigs like he did craft ales.
‘Ian was the mate who always had time for a curry and a chat, who knew what you were going through and would be there for you with wise words and irreverent jokes in equal measure.
‘They don’t make them like Ian any more. He will be deeply missed by his union comrades, his Croydon ambulance family, his boys Jack and Ben (of whom he was immeasurably proud) and his wife Sian, who he loved with all his heart.’
The tragic deaths come as the coronavirus crisis continues to claim the lives of brave doctors, nurses and support staff helping fight the pandemic on the frontline.