Virus claims life of first front-line UK doctor
‘He was the rock of our family’
A ‘DEDIcAtED’ consultant has become the UK’s first front-line doctor to die from coronavirus following warnings that a lack of protective equipment would cost medical staff lives.
Amged El-Hawrani, 55, an ear, nose and throat specialist at Queen’s Hospital in Burton, staffordshire, was known for being ‘extremely hard-working’ and deeply committed to his patients.
He died on saturday evening at the Glenfield Hospital in Leicester – the first UK death of a fulltime hospital doctor from the virus since the crisis began. It comes after London-based surgeon Dr Adil El tayar died last Wednesday.
Dr El-Hawrani was primarily an ear, nose and throat consultant and surgeon but before he became unwell, he had also been volunteering in A&E. His family yesterday said they were devastated but ‘immensely proud’, and staff at his hospital said they were ‘desperately saddened’.
But the British Medical Association warned that his death would reverberate amongst NHs staff, who are becoming increasingly concerned over the lack of protective equipment.
only last week the trade union claimed lives would be lost because the clothing and masks were being rationed by hospitals, with doctors forced to source their own.
Dr rob Harwood, of the BMA, said: ‘Doctors fear that they may have to make hugely difficult choices about whether to continue to care for patients where adequate personal protection is insufficient or unavailable.’ some doctors say the equipment is in such short supply that managers have taken to locking it away in cupboards.
one anonymous obstetrician who practises at a hospital in London, said: ‘there is some, but now we’re in a situation where people are having to hide them and store them for their own staff.’ this week the Government will publish the findings of a ‘rapid review’ into protective equipment, which will establish whether the guidelines on what staff should wear are actually safe. Doctors claim the recommendations were watered down two weeks ago and they were told to wear ordinary face masks and treat the virus as if it were ordinary flu.
Although there is no evidence the equipment shortages were directly responsible for Dr ElHawrani’s death, the timing will be unsettling for ministers.
the consultant was known for being ‘extremely hard-working’ and dedicated to his patients, and was well-liked by his colleagues across the board. outside work he took part in a trek across the Himalayas several years ago to raise money for the trust.
He was also closely involved in the merger of the Derby and Burton hospitals in 2018 and provided regular support for doctors outside of his own department.
His family issued a statement yesterday which read: ‘Amged was a loving and much-loved husband, son, father, brother, and friend. His greatest passions were his family and his profession, and he dedicated his life to both. He was the rock of our family, incredibly strong, compassionate, caring and giving. Losing Amged is devastating for our family. Life without him is impossible to imagine but together, we will do all we can to honour his memory and live how he would have wanted us to.’
Gavin Boyle, chief executive at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHs trust, said: ‘the whole UHDB family are desperately saddened at losing Amged who was such a valued and much loved colleague.’
Dr El-Hawrani is understood to have fallen ill several weeks ago and had been on intensive care for some time. Professor chris Whitty, the chief Medical officer, said: ‘I share the deep sadness about the death of Dr El-Hawrani that will be felt by the whole medical profession and wider NHs, and send condolences to his family on behalf of all of us.’
Dr El-Hawrani’s colleagues and patients last night paid tribute online describing him as ‘lovely’ and ‘professional’.
colleague sonia Maxim, a healthcare assistant, wrote on Facebook: ‘He was an amazing colleague and friend, he will be missed so, so much. My heart is broken.’
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