Covid nurse in tribute to late hubby
A NURSE who lost her own husband to Covid and then returned to the NHS frontline has been awarded the British Empire Medal.
Maria Hewitt, who was 55 when she joined the profession just three years ago, continued to work throughout the pandemic even though she was grieving her own loss.
She played an important part in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde’s efforts to protect the public from the virus, first on Covid wards and then as a vaccinator.
Maria, from Paisley, retrained as a nurse after 30 years in the police and began work on Ward 5 at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
However, after just a few months she took up a new role in international policing with the Home Office, and went to Saudi Arabia as a female instructor, training the first women to be allowed to join their police.
While there, Covid hit, and on her return home she joined NHSGGC’s nurse bank, working on Covid wards.
Her husband John contracted Covid and died in hospital in June 2020, just four years after they wed, and after 17 years together.
Maria said: “I was in the absolute depths of grief. It was my lowest moment but I had to do something to help.
“Millions had died and every member of NHS staff was working so hard to help. I felt it was what my husband would want me to do.” She went back to work and at the beginning of 2021 she became a vaccinator, helping to protect people across the NHSGGC area.
Maria now works as a dermatology staff nurse at the Vale of Leven Hospital, Alexandria but she admitted her award was bitter-sweet.
She explained: “I feel it’s recognition for my own and everyone’s efforts during the pandemic but it also brings back that terrible time.
“Overall, though, I’m so pleased at receiving this honour – and I’m delighted for everyone at NHSGGC, and for all those older students who are thinking of getting into nursing.”
Professor Angela Wallace, Executive Nurse Director at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “Despite the grief of losing her husband, Maria continued to play an important role in NHSGGC’s effort to protect the public from Covid-19.”