‘Our family has been torn apart’: doctor dies weeks from retiring
A senior consultant doctor weeks from retirement and a housekeeper described as the “linchpin” of her hospital’s geriatric ward are among the latest London NHS workers to die while suffering coronavirus symptoms.
Cheryl Williams, who worked as housekeeper at North Middlesex University Hospital, died at the weekend after two weeks in intensive care battling Covid-19.
Her death followed that of consultant Eric Labeja-Acellam, 68, who was about to retire from his role at University Hospital Lewisham. He was described today by his wife Jennifer Lawala as the “greatest of men”, while hospital colleagues praised Mrs Williams as “irreplaceable”, compassionate and caring.
The two NHS deaths came as London’s coronavirus death toll continues to rise, with 3,071 fatalities declared in hospitals in the capital so far.
Hundreds of other deaths have occurred outside hospitals with concerns mounting about the number of care home residents, in particular, who have died.
Mr Labeja-Accellam’s wife spoke of her devastation at his loss, saying: “Eric was the greatest of men. He worked at hospitals all over London. He was coming up to retirement but he loved his work in the NHS so much.
“Eric would try to laugh through illness but this time it was different. We had to call for help. The ambulance took a long time to come then he went and we never saw him again.”
Ms Lawala a well-known musician in her native Uganda, does not believe her husband contracted the virus at work, with both she and her son also developing symptoms.
She said: “I became ill and had to go to hospital where I was put on life support. I thought I was going to die.
“My son was alone at home and then he developed symptoms. We have both pulled through and are recovering slowly but I’m still in pain. We don’t know what we are going to do, our family has been torn apart.”
Meanwhile, Omodele Olowokere, the manager of Charles Coward geriatric ward at North Middlesex Hospital, paid tribute to her colleague Mrs Williams, whose job as housekeeper involved cleaning rooms, making beds and replenishing linens on the ward.
“It is with great sadness and heavy heart to share the news that our colleague Cheryl passed away,” Ms Olowokere wrote on social media.
Eric was the greatest of men. He was coming up to retirement but loved his work in the NHS so much
Widow Jennifer Lawala
“The entire Charles Coward team are devastated about the loss. You have left a vacuum for us. Our heartfelt condolences to your family and friends.”
Her cousin Ethel Nubla Ogan last week posted a link to a BBC report filmed inside the intensive care unit at University College Hospital where Mrs Williams was being treated. She wrote: “Prayers for my cousin who was tested positive for Covid-19. This is hitting really close to home and extremely hard.” Five days later, on Sunday, she added: “Rest in peace now and know that you passed this world and gave comfort & joy to those lives you touched.”
The North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust also paid tribute, saying: “As a ward housekeeper on one of our elderly wards, Cheryl was a linchpin of the care, comfort, and compassion that our patients and local people value so highly. Her contribution to patient care is irreplaceable.”
Dozens of NHS staff are reported to have died with Covid-19 amid calls for more personal protective equipment. Heath Secretary Matt Hancock has said an investigation will be carried out into the extent to which health workers have caught the virus while doing their jobs.
TFL DEATH TOLL ‘IS AN ABSOLUTE TRAGEDY’
London's transport chief today declared that the number of staff dying with suspected coronavirus was an “absolute tragedy” — as tributes were paid to the latest bus driver to lose his life.
Transport for London boss Mike Brown said he was “utterly devastated” by the deaths of 21 transport workers, praising their “humanity, compassion and determination” to help other key workers do their jobs. The fatalities include 16 bus workers,three Tube staff, one tram worker, and one staff member from TfL’s headquarters.
The latest victim was named as ex-firefighter Nicu Enciu, 52, who worked out of the Abellio garage in Battersea. Mr Enciu became a bus driver in 2015 after moving to London from Romania. Tony Wilson, managing director of Abellio London Bus said: “It is with tremendous sadness that I can confirm Mr Enciu passed away after suffering from Covid-19. He was working to make a better life for himself and his family in Romania.”