Memorial honours colleagues who died from Covid
A memorial to honour Barts Health staff who lost their lives to Covid-19 has been unveiled.
The brass sundial is located in Postman’s Park, a small public garden adjacent to St Bartholomew’s Hospital in the City of London.
Funded by Barts Charity and supported by the Diocese of London and the City of London Corporation, it features the inscription, "In loving memory and recognition of the self-sacrifice of the Barts Health NHS Trust staff who lost their lives whilst caring for patients during the Covid-19 pandemic."
Unveiling the memorial earlier today alongside friends and former colleagues of those who died, Barts Health group chief executive Shane DeGaris said: "Witnessing the unwavering courage, dedication and innovation of our staff during a worldwide health emergency was truly humbling and inspiring.
"Tragically, some of our colleagues paid the ultimate price during the pandemic. This loss weighs heavy on the hearts of us all and it was important for us to have a space to remember them and where loved ones could spend time in quiet reflection and contemplation."
The sundial has been installed on an existing plinth within Postman’s Park, surrounded by flower beds and benches.
The Park, which is open all year round, is home to the Watts Memorial to Heroic Self Sacrifice, a public monument commemorating ordinary people who died saving the lives of others.
The idea to install a memorial in the Park came from Helen Parker, an A&E consultant and the deputy medical director of Newham Hospital, who spent time there during lockdown.
She said: "NHS staff surrendered so much during the pandemic including time with loved ones and relationships. It was the ultimate example of self-sacrifice and this is a fitting place to remember them."
Watts regarded his monument as "a record of the stories of heroism in every-day life".
During the short ceremony, hospital chaplains and The Reverend Nicholas Mottershead from the Holy Sepulchre church led a moment of reflection to remember the lives lost and celebrate those that were saved by staff across Barts Health.
Pictured: the sundial in Postman's Park; staff, friends and family take part in a service to remember colleagues lost to Covid-19; faith leaders pause for a photo around the memorial (from left to right: Julie Khovacs, Hospitaller at St Bartholomew's Hospital, Imam Yunus Dudhwala, Head of Chaplaincy at Barts Health, and The Reverend Nicholas Mottershead, Priest in Charge, Holy Sepulchre).
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