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COVID-19: RCN leads tributes as third nurse dies

College says dedicated nurse Liz Glanister was on the front line of the coronavirus fight

 Neil O’Connor
Staff nurse Liz Glanister worked at Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool Picture: Neil O’Connor

The RCN has paid tribute to a ‘dedicated nurse’ from Liverpool who died after testing positive for COVID-19.

Aintree University Hospital staff nurse Liz Glanister died on 3 April, the Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust confirmed.

Ms Glanister is the third registered nurse to die in the UK after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

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Nurse deaths ‘feel especially cruel’

RCN North West regional director Estephanie Dunn expressed her sadness at Ms Glanister’s death.

Ms Dunn wrote on Twitter: ‘She was a dedicated nurse and our hearts go out to her family, friends and those who worked with her.

‘Nurses like Liz are on the front line in this fight and when they succumb to [COVID-19], it feels especially cruel.’

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust chief nurse Dianne Brown said it had been ‘an incredibly sad week’.

Ms Brown wrote on Twitter: ‘Sending my love and sincere condolences to a very humble family whose loss we all share. 

‘For those working in the NHS please take care of each other, ask if people are okay. This is tough, really tough.’

Fellow healthcare professionals lost to COVID-19 outbreak

Ms Glanister’s death follows those of nurses Areema Nasreen and Aimee O’Rourke on 2 April.

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) also said that it was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Lynsay Coventry, a midwife at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, Essex, who also died on 2 April.

A third healthcare assistant (HCA) has also died. John Alagos, 24, who worked for West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust became ill and died on 3 April.

His mother told the BBC that family had been waiting to hear if he tested positive for COVID-19.

Mr Alagos’s death follows those of HCAs Thomas Harvey and Glen Corbin.


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