A ‘hardworking and caring’ porter died from Covid just seven days after his colleague, 52, at the same hospital also passed away from the virus.
Tributes have been paid to Mark Elliott, from Stoke-on-Trent who had worked at Royal Stoke University Hospital for the last five years.
The father of three died on Valentine’s Day aged 64. His death came just seven days after that of fellow porter John ‘Adam’ Jackson with the virus.
Both of the men were employed by outsourcing company Sodexo.
Mark Elliott, 64, from Stoke-on-Trent who had worked at Royal Stoke University Hospital for the last five years died from coronavirus on Valentine’s Day
Mr Elliott’s death comes just seven days after that of his colleague John Jackson (pictured), who worked at the hospital and was also employed by Sodexo
Tracy Bullock, chief executive of University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, said colleagues had started the week with a ‘heavy heart’ after losing ‘another of our portering staff to Covid’.
Mr Elliott’s brother Shaun Elliott said he was a ‘family man who had been with his wife Sandra since they were teenagers’.
He added that the couple had ‘three beautiful children, Ian, Sarah and Simon, and the whole family are devastated’.
‘Mark was a huge Stoke City fan who took great joy in watching his team and he recently received an award for his kindness which he found overwhelming,’ he added.
Tracy Bullock, chief executive of University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, announced ‘with a heavy heart’ that the team had lost another porter. Pictured: Royal Stoke University Hospital
‘Mark had been a valued member of the team for some time. He was known for his infectious sense of humour and ability to make anyone smile,’ added Louise Durose, logistics and waste manager at Sodexo.
‘He was hardworking and caring in everything he did and a much loved member of the portering and Discharge Lounge families.’
Mr Elliott’s fellow porter colleague John Jackson worked in theatres at the Royal Stoke Universtiy Hospital.
The 52 year old, who was described by his sister as loving and kind, died on February 7, the Evening Express reports.
Mr Jackson’s sister, Louise Grice, of Clayton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, said he was a ‘true gentleman’ and had a passion for heavy metal music and vintage films.
Their deaths come as earlier this month Filipino nurse Estrella Catalan, 52, died from Covid-19 in the NHS hospital she had worked for 18 years.
Estrella Catalan (right), 52, died in early February after weeks in the critical care unit of Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, where she had worked since September 2002
After weeks in the critical care unit of Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, where she had worked since September 2002, Estrella died on February 5.
Ms Catalan was a staff nurse on the Gunthorpe and Heydon wards, as well as the emergency department and acute stroke team.
Sam Higginson, chief executive of Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH), said: ‘Our deepest and heartfelt condolences are with Estrella’s loved ones and friends at this very difficult time and with all those who worked alongside Estrella and knew her.
‘She was a wonderful person and a caring and conscientious nurse, who loved to teach and mentor students; she will be terribly missed.
Ms Catalan was a staff nurse on the Gunthorpe and Heydon wards, as well as the emergency department and acute stroke team
‘This is a heartbreaking reminder of the situation we are facing every day to help others and we want to thank our staff for their ongoing courage and commitment during the pandemic.’
According to a GoFundMe page created in her honour, Ms Catalan is survived by her husband Melvin and their sons John and Josh – adding that her eldest son Vince died two years ago.
Elsewhere, healthcare assistant Becky Regan, 29, died following the birth of her fourth child after catching coronavirus while she was pregnant.
She worked at North Tyneside Hospital from January 2020 and was 31 weeks pregnant when she tested positive for the virus.
James Mackey, Chief Executive of Northumbria Hospitals NHS Trust said: ‘It’s with deep sadness that we mourn the loss of one of our own team who has tragically died this week.
A fundraiser was launched while Ms Regan was in hospital to raise funds for her and her children
‘This will be remembered as a very sad day for Northumbria and we are all devastated at the loss of our friend and colleague. Our deepest condolences are with the family at this tragic time.
‘While every death during this pandemic has been a tragedy, the loss of Becky will feel especially painful having just given birth and her close family are now dealing with the worst possible news.
‘Our thoughts are also with her close colleagues and those who treated her during her illness who will also be grieving her loss.’
A GoFundMe page was created by family and friends in January, while Ms Regan was in hospital, to help her children.
Ms Regan leaves behind three daughters; Sophie, 10, Stacey, eight, and Connie-Mae, three.