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Hospital and family pay tribute to nurse killed in London terror attack

The family of a nurse who died during the London terror attack at the weekend have hailed her as a hero who ‘ran towards danger’ in an effort to help others.
kirsty

The family of a nurse who died during the London terror attack at the weekend have hailed her as a hero who ‘ran towards danger’ in an effort to help others

kirsty
Nurse Kirsty Boden, described by colleagues as 'one in a million'.

A nurse from Australia who was working in the UK, Kirsty Boden, was confirmed by the Metropolitan Police to have been among those killed in the London Bridge terrorist attack.

Ms Boden, who was from southern Australia, is one of seven people known to have died.

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust in London issued a statement saying she had been working there as a nurse in theatres recovery and describing her as 'an outstanding nurse'.

One of our own

Chief Nurse Dame Eileen Sills said: 'I cannot put into words how sad I am that we have lost one of our own.'

Her family in Australia also put out a statement, saying she had run towards danger in an effort to help people on the bridge when she lost her life.

Dame Eileen said: 'Kirsty was an outstanding nurse and a hugely valued  member of the staff team in theatres recovery, described by her colleagues as "one in a million" who always went the extra mile  for the patients in her care.'

Hugely traumatic

She said that with the Westminster Bridge incident on 22 March 'this is the second time in less than three months when our hospitals, patients, visitors and staff have been in the middle of hugely traumatic events'.

She added: 'Our priority at this difficult time is not only to provide care of the highest quality to our patients but also  to look after our staff.'

Chief executive at the trust Amanda Pritchard said: 'As with the Westminster Bridge incident, our staff responded with courage and tremendous professionalism following the horrific events of Saturday night. We are extremely proud of them.'

Selfless and caring

Ms Boden's family said: ‘Kirsty was loved and adored by her family, friends and boyfriend. She was the most outgoing, kind and generous person who loved to help people. Helping people was what she loved to do in her job as a nurse and in her daily life.

‘We are so proud of Kirsty’s brave actions which demonstrate how selfless, caring and heroic she was, not only on that night, but throughout all of her life.’

Chief Nursing Officer for England Jane Cummings also paid tribute.

'My thoughts are with Kirsty’s family and friends, as well as her colleagues at Guy’s Hospital and the rest of the Trust, through this unimaginably difficult time.

“The people responsible for this heinous act showed a callous and indiscriminate disregard for human life. In contrast, Kirsty truly epitomised the values of nursing, of public service and the compassion we associate with the NHS.'

NHS England said 36 people were still being treated in five hospitals across London following Saturday's attack on London Bridge and Borough Market, 18 of whom were in critical condition.

The hospitals treating patients are King's College Hospital, The Royal London Hospital, St Thomas’ Hospital, University College Hospital and St Mary’s Hospital.

Further information

Wellbeing advice issued for those affected by Manchester terror attack


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