Posted 01 September 2021 - 13:16
Posted 01 September 2021 - 13:16
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Nurse’s photos capture reality of intensive care unit during COVID’s second wave
Petro Bekker shares powerful pictures of work inside ICU during the pandemic
Nurse shares powerful pictures of work inside intensive care unit during COVID-19 second wave
A nurse who volunteered to work in intensive care during the pandemic used her photography skills to capture powerful images of her colleagues in action.
Clinical informatics manager Petro Bekker, who was previously a senior sister in intensive care, returned to the front line in March 2020 at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
‘I knew I had to document this journey as it was history in the making’
Petro Bekker, nurse photographer
A passionate photographer, she took her camera with her and was given permission to take photos in the intensive care unit during breaks and in her own time.
Images show emotion, friendship, dedication and resilience of intensive care staff
‘When the first wave hit us it was so overwhelming that it was impossible to capture anything,’ she said. ‘However, when the second wave came I knew I had to document this journey as it was history in the making.’
The result is a series of stunning colour and black and white images showing the emotion, friendship, dedication and resilience of intensive care staff.
The photographs were posted on social media and went on to be displayed in an exhibition at Manchester Central Library in August organised by mental well-being charity MancSpirit.
Ms Bekker told Nursing Standard she was keen to share the images – with the full support of colleagues – to show the challenges faced by nurses and other healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 crisis.
Photos may now be included in local history archives as a record of the pandemic
She said one of her favourite pictures was an artistic shot of a colleague surrounded by theatre lights. ‘I know what that moment meant for my colleague and the emotions that went with it,’ she said.
Trust chief nurse Rabina Tindale said: ‘We are incredibly proud of Petro, not only of her brilliance as a compassionate nurse, but also in illuminating the team’s journey through her brilliant photography skills.’
It is hoped the photos will now be included in local history archives as a lasting record of the pandemic.
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