Praise for 'compassionate and hard-working' health heroes at Leeds hospital

Natalie Green, a ward clerk in the cardiac surgery nursing team at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI), said her colleagues have all worked together and supported each

other in changing roles during the crisis.

Natalie Green spoke to the YEP as we continue our #HealthHeroes campaign, celebrating health workers across Leeds who are the very front line of keeping our nation safe during this uncertain time.

She said: "Being a ward clerk on the cardiac surgery ward has made me realise how much of a compassionate hard-working bunch the team are especially through these testing times,”

Natalie has special praise for Helen Rowbotham, matron for cardiology and respiratory departments at LGI, who she says goes above and beyond in all that she does with

patients and her staff.

Natalie said: “Helen is always smiling even when things get tough and always someone who you can talk to for support and guidance."

Natalie also praised senior sister Vicki Bentley, sisters Sheena Bennett, Lucy Halstead, Kathryn Tweede, Cynthia Fontanares, charge nurse Adam Bird and the whole

team on L16 Cardiac Theatre.

She said: “Ward teams have moved from areas and places where they usually work but this has happened with a smile and an acceptance that this is necessary but not forever.

“As the ward staff now look after accident and emergency admissions, as well as some that are suspected-Covid19 from various specialities, it is quite different to their usual daily life.”

The YEP has joined with titles across the JPIMedia portfolio to celebrate health workers across Leeds, as part of our #HealthHeroes campaign.

They are the doctors, nurses, porters, cleaners, administrators and many, many more who are making sure our extraordinary national health service can keep up with the increased demand as more people turn to it for help during the Covid-19 pandemic.