A touching tribute to the work of intensive care nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic has been unveiled at an NHS hospital.
The Intensive Care exhibition at St James’s University Hospital, which is part of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, includes sculptures and drawings of trust staff who worked on the front line of the pandemic.
“As a united team we supported each other through the most difficult time and saw things none of us ever expected or could have imagined”
Jane Morgan
These pieces were put together by Leeds-based artist Paul Digby, after seeing the impact the pandemic was having on nurses he knew, including critical care matron Jane Morgan.
Ms Morgan said: “I’ve known Paul for many years, and talking to him during 2020 he said he could see the toll that working through the pandemic was having on me.
“He wanted to show his appreciation for what we had done and what we continued to do.
Jane Morgan, critical care matron
“As a united team we supported each other through the most difficult time and saw things none of us ever expected or could have imagined.
“What got us through was ‘looking to the future’ and facing each day together. This became the concept for the project and the sculpture title.”
The sculptures, made from plaster, plastic, fibreglass and pigments, and the drawings depict staff, with masks and uniforms on, from Leeds Teaching Hospitals intensive care units.
The exhibition began on 1 August, and runs until 31 October in the Bexley Wing of St James’s hospital.
“This exhibition is a tribute to our amazing teams and everything they do for our patients and each other,” added Ms Morgan.
Mr Digby described the collection of art as a “real labour of love” and said: “I wanted to create a permanent reminder of the dedication of our wonderful NHS staff during the Covid pandemic. I have been struck by their tireless compassion for patients.
“A large focus in the work was people’s hands and because I know staff held the hands of so many patients during the Covid outbreaks.
“It is so special to see my drawings and sculptures at St James’s hospital, right where it all happened and alongside the clinical staff I created them for.”
This collection joins several others across the country which have celebrated the work of nurses recently.
One exhibition, in London, was held in May and June of this year as part of the NHS 75th anniversary commemoration.
Another, also in London, featured a painting of a nurse in personal protective equipment.
Paul Digby (left) with a nurse at the Leeds hospital Covid-19 exhibition
