Exhibition honours pandemic health heroes
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde heroes who staffed the frontline during the covid pandemic are set to feature as part of a new exhibition.
The ‘Picturing our Workforce: One NHS Family’ showcase celebrates the contribution of staff who kept services running and are still battling on through the lasting effects of the outbreak.
Portraits of the NHS GGC workers, inspired by a desire to acknowledge the diversity of the workforce family, will feature as part of the exhibition - set to be staged first at Glasgow Royal Infirmary from spring, before moving on to other hospitals across the board area.
Jackie Sands, arts and health co-ordinator at NHSGGC said: “This exhibition is extremely timely and will reflect the real life, work and experiences of our colleagues as they have faced a challenge like no other.
“But more than that, it will recognise the huge diversity of the people who work with us, embracing what we call our One NHS Family.”
Clinical photographer Lisa Miller has led the work capturing the portraits of colleagues, with the support of the staff from Medical Illustration Services.
She said the project has been ‘great fun’ allowing her to meet colleagues from across the NHS she wouldn’t normally work with, adding: “I want those being portrayed to get a sense of pride and achievement when they look at their portrait and feel like they are a truly valued member of our NHS team.
“I hope those who see the portraits see how varied our workforce is and all the different roles people play to come together to provide an amazing service to the public.”
Kate Ocker, a research nurse who looks after patients on clinical trials and is chair of the Staff Disability Forum, said: “It’s important for everybody to be visible and this exhibition gives people who are not ordinarily in the public eye, the chance to show how much their jobs and roles matters.
“I’m really looking forward to being part of the exhibition, it helps us feel part of the One NHS Family, providing a snapshot of people particularly after everything we’ve been through in the last two years.
“It will be a real celebration – we’re still standing after all the challenges and I think that’s a massive achievement.”
The exhibition will also be available to view online.