Behind the headlines: Working on the front line – celebrating care workers

Across the world, emergency workers are leading the fight against coronavirus, trying to save as many lives as possible

Each day, thousands of brave medical workers in the UK risk their own health and safety to fight the battle against coronavirus. Since COVID-19 swept across the UK earlier this year, over 150 NHS staff and other healthcare workers have died from the illness. Among them are fathers, mothers, sons, daughters and grandparents, who all gave their lives to look after others. And while their families continue to grieve, their colleagues have carried on caring for coronavirus patients. Each week, the public is showing their support to key workers by clapping, raising money and providing everything from meals to new scrubs. But with a shortage of personal protective equipment, ongoing hospital admissions and a shocking death toll, NHS workers are continuously dealing with the physical and mental effect of the virus each and every day. Woman’s Own talks to Kate Dennant, a paramedic who is the first point of call when someone is seriously unwell.