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COVID remembrance plaques have been installed at various sites across the Trust to mark the sad loss of staff and service users and remember the incredible response of NHS staff at ELFT. Wednesday 26 July marked the unveiling of a pandemic memorial at Trust HQ in Robert Dolan House, Alie Street.
Chief Executive Paul Calaminus and Chair Eileen Taylor were joined by staff from various corporate teams in the Trust’s lobby. The unveiling commemorated the sacrifices and bravery of staff, service users and the general public throughout COVID.
Remembering
Paul reminded people of how it felt during the first lockdown. He shared how leaving Alie Street one Sunday, he never saw another person on the street until he got to London Bridge station. Although corporate staff were not on the frontline, many did long hours to ensure that colleagues had equipment (laptops, phones, etc.) and essential supplies (masks, gloves, hand gel, gowns, etc). Staff were involved in changing policies and Standard Operating Procedures, the Infection Control Team provided constant guidance, and corporate staff worked as one to communicate reliable information to the organisation and respond to queries. People changed roles and stepped up to do what was needed.
A Time of Quiet Courage
Paul Calaminus spoke about the reasoning behind the wording on the plaque; ‘A Time of Quite Courage’. He reminded those present how humble staff were, how they simply got on with the task in hand – despite being fearful for colleagues and loved ones. Staff just adapted to the roles they were required to play.
Eileen Taylor drew upon the contrast of where we were in 2020 compared to now. She recalled the challenges of social distancing, compulsory mask-wearing and the need for shielding for some. And reflected on how far we’ve come in the fight against the disease.
Thank you to everybody who stopped by to pay their respects to staff and service users lost along the way. The plaque has pride of place between the two lifts on the ground floor.