NHS Heroes

During the pandemic over the last 6 months, like many others, I have been mainly sitting at home, safe with my family away from the dangers so many others were facing.  Watching the horror unfold around us on the news was like watching an apocalyptic sci-fi movie! I felt so helpless just sitting at home while the staff in the NHS put themselves in danger and worked tirelessly to keep us and our loved ones safe.  Even clapping on the doorstep felt like such an insignificant gesture so, inspired by the Portraits for NHS Heroes movement started by fellow artist Tom Croft, I turned to what I CAN do and started to offer free charcoal portraits to NHS staff including a series of 10 drawings to Bucks Healthcare NHS Trust. So many of us felt so helpless at that time, it seemed like such a small thing to offer this work to those who have helped keep us safe.  It is with sincere thanks that I offer these portraits to such amazing NHS Heroes!

Unfortunately due to current restrictions the work is unable to be viewed as a collection in the flesh, instead, a “virtual reality” gallery has been created for you to visit:
Artsteps Virtual Gallery
(please be aware this is not compatible with many mobile phones and is better viewed on a desktop computer, you can also view the individual images below)

I’m a Staff Nurse and I work on the Acute Short Stay Ward at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and I’ve been a nurse for 8 years. During the pandemic, my duty as a Staff Nurse was to look after and to comfort those unwell people who were far from their loved ones and felt alone. Working in full PPE wasn’t easy at times but we had to do it to protect ourselves, our loved ones at home and those around us.

I’m a Staff and Associate Specialist in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care. During the pandemic I have been looking after COVID-19 patients in ICU and theatre. I’ve also been leading the massively successful recovery trial COVID-19 research study for the Trust to find treatment that can benefit COVID-19 patients.

I am a Trainee Anatomical Pathologists Technician and Helen is the Lead Anatomical Pathologist Technician for the three mortuaries at the Trust. During the pandemic we both ensured that the mortuary was covered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to make sure the mortuary and areas were deep cleaned and a safe place to work. All our patients were cared for in a dignified and respectful manner and we were there for families during these difficult times offering support if and when needed.

I am a nurse for 23 years and a qualified teacher for 6 years. I have worked across a range of specialities starting with being a theatre nurse back in Romania and I’m currently working as a Recovery Practitioner for Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. During the initial wave of the pandemic I have been redeployed for 50% of my working time in the ITU units, working in an unfamiliar location, with unfamiliar teams, in full PPE, dealing with anxious patients as well as with my own anxieties, worrying every shift about the potential of passing on the virus to my family.

I’m a Critical Care Outreach Sister and I see deteriorating patients on the wards and if necessary facilitate their admission to Intensive Care Unit (ICU). During the pandemic I have been seeing patients with COVID-19 pneumonitis, starting therapies they needed and then transferring them to ICU if necessary. Now at the other end of the pandemic I am seeing patients who are now in their recovery stage. They have been extremely unwell and have often had an extensive time in ICU. I liaise with other therapists for their rehabilitation which includes both physical and psychological help.

I’m a Community Midwife and during the pandemic I have worked long hours, extra on calls, supported both patients and staff alike to ensure the demands of the service were met. I’ve continued to support women and their families in my care right through to delivery and postnatally. I’ve faced the fear of the unknown with every woman. I am exhausted but continue to be strong I have the best job in the world.

I’m an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Consultant. During the pandemic the ENT department has been working collaboratively with the Anaesthetic and Intensive Care clinicians to provide surgical tracheostomies. This procedure has allowed patients with respiratory difficulties to progress from the Critical Care environment, speeding up their recovery towards discharge and helping to maintain capacity in Intensive Care. As an ENT consultant I have been managing airway and breathing emergencies in unwell patients who have the potential of being COVID-19 positive.

I’m a Medicines Optimisation Pharmacist. During the pandemic, I have worked in dispensary to process medication requests for patients, wards and units across the Trust. I have also been supporting in the Medicines Resource Centre, helping to answer medication-related and patient-led queries from the public and GPs. This is a core support service led by pharmacy for the Trust.

I’m a Healthcare Assistant working on ward 16B at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. I have been working throughout the pandemic and even though our speciality has been changed from surgical to trauma and orthopaedic, I’m still enjoying what I do! I have plans to also go onto the associate nursing apprenticeship and have officially been given the cohort dates for October. At the start of the pandemic I was extremely anxious, but I’m still here doing what I do best (caring for others) with the support of my 16B colleagues.

I’m a Trauma and Orthopaedic Specialist Registrar, currently working in Spinal Surgery. I was fully redeployed to ICU to support the doctors and nurses working that department. We looked after the very sick COVID patients, trying to support them with medications and ventilators to help them fight the infection. Often these patients needed lots of support as lots of their organs were affected and lots of them remained on ITU for months. It was long days spent in PPE, but it was a great atmosphere of doctors and nurses normally on ITU, and those redeployed, showing great collaboration and spirit. It was a privilege to join their team for a while and to support those patients.

Jill is a community midwife for Northern Lincoln and Goole NHS Trust and has worked for the NHS for 39 years. In our first conversation she asked me….. “You know what they call a Rottweiler with lipstick?…… A Midwife!”

I am a nursing Sister normally with a private hospital but had volunteered to help out on the COVID wards at our local Trust, I was out of my comfort zone and some days were really emotionally tough for me but I was privileged to hold the hands of patients and care for them when their families were unable to. I had to leave my family and stay away whilst I cared for others, it wasn’t easy at all and I learnt this year to be grateful for what we have in life.

 

For commission enquiries in this style, contact me.  Please be aware a lengthy waiting list applies.