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Rainbow mural commemorates efforts of nursing students during COVID’s first wave

University of Surrey nursing, midwifery and paramedic students praised for front-line support

Mural honours efforts of University of Surrey nursing, midwifery and paramedic students during the pandemic

University of Surrey head of the school of health sciences Melanie Coward; nursing graduate Lizzie Rodulson; and head of professional preparation within integrated care Jackie McBride at the rainbow mural unveiling
Left to right: University of Surrey head of the school of health sciences Melanie Coward; nursing graduate Lizzie Rodulson; and head of professional preparation within integrated care Jackie McBride at the mural's unveiling Picture: Grant Pritchard

Nursing students have been honoured for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic in a commemorative rainbow mural at the University of Surrey.

The names of final-year nursing, midwifery and paramedic students, who started paid placements when the UK went into lockdown in spring 2020, have been placed into the new artwork.

When the pandemic struck, NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens called on final-year nursing students to help support the NHS. Nursing students in their final six months of study could opt in to finish their programmes on extended clinical placements and were paid at band 4.

Nursing students ‘fantastic role models’ supporting healthcare staff during COVID-19

More than 300 students were deployed from the university during the first wave of the crisis, and 139 chose to be included in the commemorative artwork.

Lizzie Rodulson, University of Surrey student union president and nursing graduate who worked during the pandemic, said: 'The mural demonstrates an everlasting reminder of the bravery and compassion shown by all of our healthcare students here at Surrey who went out into paid placements to support the NHS through an incredibly turbulent time.

‘We hope this permanent image in the health sciences building will show cohorts of healthcare students to come how proud we are.'

Unveiling the rainbow mural, the university's head of the school of health sciences Melanie Coward said: ‘Our students are fantastic role models. I would like to extend my thanks to every one of them who used their skills and knowledge to help healthcare staff and patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘I am so proud of these students, who supported their colleagues in the most unprecedented circumstances when it was desperately needed. I hope that the mural lifts people’s spirits, but also reminds us of how we can achieve great things by working together.’


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