A ‘dedicated’ paramedic, a GP who ‘touched and enriched many lives’ and a ‘phenomenal’ mental health counsellor are among four of the latest NHS workers to die of coronavirus.
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’ and is among the NHS workers who have fought on the frontline to help battle the coronavirus crisis, passed away on April 20.
The latest deaths comes as the UK continues to control the spread of the virus which has now claimed the lives of 18,100 people.
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
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
Healthcare workers have been paying tribute to NHS mental health counsellor Ann Shepherd, 80, from Leicester, who died earlier this week
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.’
Mr Goodwin’s son Daniel said: ‘He was a man who gave 110 percent to his job and family.
‘He was a boyhood Manchester City fan who took me to the Manchester United ground for a legends tour, and last May he took me to a charity match where it was Manchester United legends 1999 vs the Bayern Munich legends.’
Managing director for First 4 Care Jonathan Lightbody said in a statement: ‘It is with terrible sadness that we have tragically lost Charlie Goodwin who passed away early on Monday morning from Covid-19.
‘Charlie was an enormously respected member of our first4care patient transport team and he more than played his part supporting the nation’s cause and assisting our NHS clients during this horrendous crisis.
‘It is the selfless actions like Charlie’s, his 140 colleagues and many others on the front line, that are invaluable and will enable the UK to beat this horrible disease.
‘We’re devastated to have lost such a dedicated member of our team, a true gentleman who gave everything for first4care; and always with his cheeky smile.
Sadeq Elhowsh, 58, an orthopaedic surgeon who worked at St Helens and Knowley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, died from coronavirus. Pictured with his sons
Josephine Peter, a nurse at Southport and Formby District General Hospital, leaves behind her husband Thabo, her two children Bongani and Buhle and a granddaughter
Juliet Alder, who worked at the Hammersmith and Fulham Mental Health Unit, died from coronavirus aged 58 on Tuesday, April 14
‘We have no date for his funeral but we intend for his hearse to be escorted to the crematorium by a number of our ambulances driven by his deeply affected colleagues while others will provide a Guard of Honour as Charlie takes his final journey to his resting place.
‘Charlie was genuinely respected, and loved by his colleagues which is evident from the words of remembrance we’ve received and have collated into a book of remembrance for his family.
‘Charlie was a positive influence on many and colleagues couldn’t help but be inspired by Charlie’s work ethic and dedication. I wish we had a team of Charlies but of course we can’t, and I doubt we’ll ever be blessed with another Charlie. Charlie was uniquely Charlie.
‘On the news we’re told that once the Covid-19 crisis is over it’ll be a while before things return to normal. Charlie’s death means it never will return to normal. Not for Julie, Daniel or Catherine. Not for first4care.’
Yesterday 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.
Liz Shale, 61, an NHS administration worker from Leeds died two days after she was rushed to 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.
‘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.
Simon Guest, who worked as a radiographer at Furness General Hospital in Cumbria, died after contracting Covid-19
‘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.
Nursing assistant Ruben Muñoz (centre), who had worked at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust since 2011, died from coronavirus last week
‘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.
This week Sadeq Elhowsh, 58, who was described by his colleagues as ‘a much-loved member of the team’ and worked at St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in Merseyside as a surgeon for 17 years, died at Whiston Hospital.
In a tribute to the surgeon, the father-of-four’s family said: ‘Sadeq was a wonderful husband as well as a devoted father and he dearly loved his family.
‘We cannot put into words the depth of our loss. He loved his work and was dedicated to supporting his patients and his colleagues.’
Josephine Peter, a nurse at Southport and Formby District General Hospital, who was described as a ‘heroine’ by her devastated husband, died from the virus on Saturday, April 18.
According to a GoFundMe page set up to honour Mrs Peter, who worked as a nurse for 20 years, leaves behind her husband Thabo, her two children Bongani and Buhle who live in South Africa and a granddaughter.
She was raised in Johannesburg, South Africa during Apartheid where, according to the fundraising page, she was ‘whipped and humiliated by the then white ruling party’ but she never let it break her spirit.
Liz Shale, a 61-year-old NHS administration worker from Leeds, died just two days after being rushed to hospital on Tuesday, April 7.
Her family, who described her as ‘loving and crazy’ have pleaded with people to ‘take this virus seriously’ after they were unable to visit and say goodbye to her before she died at St James’s University Hospital.
Kirsty Jones, 41, was working at an assessment centre helping in the frontline response. She leaves behind her husband Nigel and two sons, Sam age 14 and Finlay, four
Juliet Alder, who died from coronavirus aged 58 on Tuesday, April 14, worked at the Hammersmith and Fulham Mental Health Unit supporting older people in the last weeks of their life.
She is the first member of the team to die from Covid-19, leaving behind her husband and daughter, and was described by her colleagues as ‘kind, caring and thoughtful.’
Her coworkers said: ‘She was compassionate to patients, colleagues and carers and maternal towards those who came in contact with her.
‘Juliet had a beaming smile and an infectious laughter and took great pride in looking after others. She’ll be missed by all.’
Meanwhile Kirsty Jones, 41, had been working as a healthcare assistant and recently taken up a position in one of Lanarkshire’s Assessment Centres, based in Airdrie Health Centre, to help in the frontline response against the pandemic.
Her death sees her leave behind her husband Nigel, and two sons, Sam aged 14 and Finlay, four.
Julianne Cadby, 49, of Cardiff, worked in a string of roles at her health board for three decades and was a ‘much loved’ member of her team
Healthcare assistant Lourdes Campbell (pictured above) died from the coronavirus
Last Wednesday radiographer Simon Guest, who worked on the frontline at Furness General Hospital in Barrow, Cumbria, died after testing positive for coronavirus.
Described by his wife Nicky as a ‘true gentleman’, the healthcare worker, who also trained other radiographers, is among the NHS workers who have fought on the frontline to help battle the coronavirus crisis and have died of the illness.
Just days later, nursing assistant Ruben Muñoz, a father-of-two and a husband, who had worked at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust since 2011, also died from coronavirus.
Paying tribute to the healthcare worker was Surrey and Sussex trust chief executive, Michael Wilson, who described Mr Muñoz as a ‘highly respected’ and ‘talented’ individual.
He said: ‘Ruben was a highly respected and talented nursing assistant who showed enormous dedication to caring for his patients every time he walked through our doors.
‘He was also a much-loved friend to so many people across our hospital and our team are incredibly saddened by his passing.’
Last week Julianne Cadby, 49, of Cardiff, who worked in a string of roles at her health board for three decades and was a ‘much loved’ member of her team, died after contracting the virus.
She started her career as a medical secretary before becoming a business manager at the specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
Dedicated Mrs Cadby was described by her colleagues as ‘always ensuring we are delivering the best service we can for children and young people.’
She leaves behind her husband Chris, their son Evan and her brother Ian.
A spokesman for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said: ‘Julianne was a much loved member of our team, she was extremely warm and caring and would always make time to help and support hear colleagues.
‘Her dedication shone through, playing a central role in all that we do in the service and her focus was always on ensuring we are delivering the best service we can for children and young people.
‘Her loss will be felt by all the many colleagues she has worked with over the years.’
Tributes were also made to Lourdes Campbell, who worked for Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, after she died on the critical care unit at Royal Bolton Hospital after contracting the virus.
In a statement published on Thursday, chief executive of the trust Fiona Noden said: ‘It is with deep regret and huge sadness that I share with you the devastating news that we have lost a friend and colleague to the terrible Covid-19 virus.
‘Lourdes Campbell, a healthcare assistant, died a short time ago on our critical care unit.
‘Lourdes, known as Des to her colleagues, has worked with us for nearly 13 years.
‘She was a well-liked and valued member of the team, known for working extremely hard.
‘She was dedicated to patient care and her colleagues respected her quiet, diligent and compassionate approach.
‘This is a terrible and poignant reminder of the situation we are facing every day to help others and I want to thank every member our staff for their continued care for our patients and community.
‘Their continued courage and commitment to duty is inspirational and a comfort to us all in these difficult times.’