Tributes to first frontline NHS hospital worker to die
A consultant has become the first frontline NHS hospital worker to die after testing positive for coronavirus, NHS England said.
Amged El-hawrani, aged 55, died at the Glenfield Hospital in Leicester on Saturday evening, the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB) said.
Mr El-hawrani worked as an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon at the Queen’s Hospital Burton – playing a leading role in merging the Burton and Derby hospitals.
It is understood he had not been in contact with patients in recent weeks.
A statement made on behalf of Mr El-hawrani’s family said: “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. He always put everyone else before himself.
“We all turned to him when we needed support and he was always there for us. He had so many responsibilities and yet he never complained.
“Amged reached the very top of his profession and we know he made a difference to thousands of lives during his career. He viewed his role as a doctor as one of life’s most noble pursuits. He was also a leader, who educated many doctors who have subsequently become ENT consultants.
“We are incredibly proud of the legacy he has left behind and all that he has achieved.
“We would like to thank all those involved in his care for their kindness and compassion during his illness. They worked tirelessly for their patient, as he would have done for his own. 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.”
Mr El-hawrani’s son Ashraf said: “Most of my Dad’s time was dedicated towards his family, and the rest of that time was dedicated towards his profession.
“He taught me the significance of respect and equality. He also stressed the importance of not worrying about the things I cannot control, which he displayed to me right up until the end of his life.
“He did not seek the praise and approval of others, he was satisfied by viewing the positive effects of his actions and the wellbeing of his family. I am incredibly proud to say that for 18 years of my life, Amged Elhawrani was my father.”
Professor Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: “The NHS is a family and we all feel deeply the loss of any of our colleagues, as we all continue to unite and work together to tackle the spread of coronavirus, I know that the whole of the NHS and the public we serve will want to extend our sympathies to the El-hawrani family.
“Nobody can be in any doubt about the scale of the challenge we face with this virus, and Amged’s death is not just an individual human tragedy but a stark reminder to the whole country that we all must take this crisis seriously, which means everyone abiding by the Government’s clear instructions to stay indoors, self-isolate, keep strictly to social distancing advice and practise good hygiene.”