ON INTERNATIONAL WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY, WE PUBLISH THE NAMES OF THE NINE WORKERS IN WALES WHO HAVE DIED OF COVID-19. THE FIGURE MAY BE HIGHER, AS NOT ALL NAMES ARE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN
“REMEMBER THE DEAD, FIGHT FOR THE LIVING”
This is the slogan being adopted for International Workers Memorial Day today, Tuesday 28 April. The theme for the global event this year is Coronavirus: Stop the Pandemic at Work
At 11.00am, a minute’s silence was held to remember workers who have died after contracting the virus at work. Throughout the day people are taking action to fight for those who continue to be exploited and put at intolerable risk with the slogans #PPE #ShutTheSites #PayEveryWorker
According to Nursing Notes, over 100 health and social care workers have now died from Covid-19 in Wales, England and Scotland.
Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities have been disproportionately affected, accounting for around 75% of deaths while only making up around 20% of the healthcare workforce. Failure by the government to provide adequate PPE has been raised by the families of health workers as a major factor in their death.
Meanwhile, NHS workers in Wales have told voice.wales their working conditions are like trench warfare, and said they are being ‘made to sacrifice’ themselves by treating ‘coughing, dying’ Covid patients with nothing but a pinny, paper surgical mask and gloves.
These are the names of the 9 health and social care workers in Wales who have died from Coronavirus. The true number may be higher as not all deaths are in the public domain. All images and names have already been widely published. We list them here in their memory and in solidarity with all workers fighting for safer working conditions and proper recognition of their labour.
Sharon Bamford, Care Assistant
Sharon worked on the haematology/oncology ward at Singleton Hospital in Swansea. “Our hearts are breaking.. Sharonwas a dedicated and caring healthcare assistant at Singleton Hospital,” ABMU Health Board said. Her husband also tragically died from Coronavirus. Their son, Christian, was admitted to hospital with the virus but has since been discharged.
Gerallt Davies, Emergency Consultant
Gerallt, a 51-year-old from Swansea, had worked for the Welsh Ambulance Service for 26 years. Mr Davies was also the national operations officer for St John Ambulance Cymru. He was described as “always having a smile on his face and time for everyone”.
Jenelyn Carter, Healthcare Assistant
Jenelyn, 42, worked on the admissions ward at Morriston Hospital. She was described as a “Lovely caring person inside & out, with a heart of gold.” She was the 24th Filipino healthcare or care worker to die from Covid-19.
Andy Treble, Theatre Assistant
Andy was a 57-year-old a theatre assistant at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital. His sister, Maria Molloy, described her brother – who had worked at the hospital for almost 40 years – as a “kind man” who dedicated his life to his profession and “always had a smile on his face”.
Linnette Cruz, Dental Nurse
Linnette was a 51-year-old senior head nurse at the Brynteg dental practice in Sketty, Swansea. She died on April 14. She was described as “a loving wife, mother and friend. She was a dedicated dental nurse here in Swansea, Wales.”
Leilani Medel, Nurse
Leilani, who worked as an agency nurse in Bridgend, was described as a “warm-natured and beautiful nurse who cared for so many vulnerable people during her nursing career.”
Gareth Roberts, Nurse
Gareth devoted his life to caring for people, working as a nurse since the 1980s and coming out of retirement in January 2015. He worked for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. He was widely known and greatly admired. “He didn’t have PPE. In the beginning he said he didn’t have anything,” his childhood friend Janette Leonard said following his death.
Donna Campbell, Healthcare Support Worker
Donna Campbell worked at the Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff. “Donna was a bright light, in the lives of her children, the patients she cared for, the Windrush Generation, and the time Donna devoted to her church….Donna believed in fairness and equality for everyone, with love, care and compassion.” her trade union comrades in UNISON, where she was an active member, wrote of her.
Jitendra Rathod, Surgeon
Jitendra was described as a “highly regarded” associate specialist in cardiothoracic surgery at the University Hospital of Wales Cardiff. He died on the morning of April 6.
We remember their service and care to everyone who needed it. Our thoughts and solidarity are with their families, friends and colleagues. As we remember those who have died we also remember to fight for the living.
