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Nurse dedicated to helping others dies from COVID-19

Lancashire nurse Bridget Palmer is believed to be 95th nurse in UK to have died in pandemic
Picture of Bridget Palmer, a staff nurse at Clitheroe Community Hospital in Lancashire, who has died after being diagnosed with COVID-19

Lancashire nurse Bridget Palmer is believed to be 95th nurse in the UK to have died after contracting the coronavirus

Picture of Bridget Palmer, a staff nurse at Clitheroe Community Hospital in Lancashire, who has died after being diagnosed with COVID-19
Bridget Palmer

A nurse said to have dedicated her life to helping others has died after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

Bridget Palmer, a staff nurse at Clitheroe Community Hospital in Lancashire, died on 29 December, a spokesman for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) said.

‘A treasured and respected member of the trust family’

Trust chief executive Kevin McGee said: ‘It is with deep sadness that I share with you the devastating news that we have tragically lost a valued member of the ELHT family to coronavirus. Bridget Palmer had dedicated her life and career to helping and caring for her patients.’

The mother of two began her nursing career in Zimbabwe 40 years ago, before joining the NHS and starting work at the trust in 2012. She worked at the Royal Blackburn Hospital before moving to Ribblesdale Ward at Clitheroe Community Hospital as a staff nurse.

Mr McGee said: ‘During Bridget’s eight years at ELHT she became a most treasured and respected member of the ELHT family. Her loss will be deeply felt by all her colleagues and friends at ELHT.

‘Bridget was caring and compassionate towards all her patients and their families, always putting them first. No task was too great for her.

‘She will be missed considerably by many, and we send our deepest and heartfelt condolences to her husband Geoff, their daughter Vanessa, son Carl and family.’

COVID-19: remembering the nursing staff who have lost their lives

He added: ‘This is a terrible and poignant reminder of the situation we are facing every day to help others, and I want to thank every member of staff for their continued care for our patients and community.

‘Their continued courage and commitment to duty is inspirational and a comfort to us all in these difficult times.’

The 95th nurse to die in the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK

Nursing Standard believes Ms Palmer is the 95th nurse in the UK to have died in the COVID-19 pandemic.

The news of her death comes two weeks after Nursing Standard reported on the death of nurse Ana Lisa Labrador Sayson, who worked at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.


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