BRENDAN HARRIS

‘My elderly dad fell ill during the Christmas lockdown and was admitted to hospital in London. I was living in Italy so I flew back immediately, making a false declaration on my Covid travel documents because ‘wanting to be at my dying parent’s bedside’ wasn’t a valid reason. At St Mary’s hospital they refused to let me in so I dodged security and followed a nurse through the doors. I made it. I sat with dad, held his hand, made sure he wasn’t alone in his last days. The duty nurse turned a blind eye because she had some humanity.”