Nurse who ‘paid ultimate price’
A AD DEDICATED nurse who died of Covid-19 was left to work on the front line with just a ‘paper ‘ pa mask and pinny’ because be of a shortage of protective pro equipment.
GARETH G ROBERTS, 65, paid ‘the ‘th ultimate price’, said a close clo friend, after he took on extra ex shifts to help in the fight fig against the virus.
The T father-of-two, who had 40 years of service, was helping ing to cover wards at Llandough ou Hospital near Cardiff but bu caught the infection and died die on Saturday.
Family Fa friend Janette Leonard ard said Mr Roberts, of Aberdare, da had told his family he did di not have proper protective pro equipment.
‘He ‘H had a paper mask, plasticpla gloves and a pinny,’ she said. ‘That’s all right if youyo are making sandwiches butbu not when you are going to nurse people with the disease.dis
‘H ‘He paid the ultimate price... we’rewe angry. Why would you sendsen a soldier on to the front linelin without combat gear? It’sM It’s unthinkable.’
Mr Roberts’ wife Linda was allowedall to visit him at Prince CharlesCh Hospital in Merthyr TydfilTyd when it became clear he would pass away. Miss
Leonard said the Government needed to provide more protective equipment for healthcare workers.
‘The staff are saying it is not enough,’ she said. ‘If they haven’t got enough to do their job safely, why shouldn’t they walk out? Because they are nurses. It’s not just a profession, it’s a vocation.
‘Gareth would never let his team down and he’s paid the ultimate price.’
The Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said it would look into the claims.
A foster couple who had cared for 26 children died of the virus within days of each other.
HEFIN WILLIAMS, 80, and his wife VALERIE, 74, of Warrington, Cheshire, also had four children of their own.
He died on March 30 and she passed away on April 9, the day after his funeral. Daughter Andrea Brinksman said they were ‘the best parents anyone could wish for’.
The husband of former Conwy MP Betty Williams died of coronavirus despite two negative tests. EVAN WILLIAMS, 79, was diagnosed after a third test but died a day later in hospital in Bangor, Wales, on Good Friday.