'Nothing prepared me for an experience as heartbreaking' - colleague's moving tribute to Doncaster doctor who died of coronavirus

Dr Medhat Atalla, who died at the hospital where he worked as a consultant geriatrician, was praised by his employers on Wednesday as a ‘very special person’.

Dr Sudipto Ghosh, who worked with him at the hospital for more than five years, has now added to the tributes and described how hard it was caring for a friend during his final days.

The full list of key workers entitled to a coronavirus test as COVID-19 fight continues

“Nothing prepared me for the experience as heartbreaking as having to look after a colleague battling COVID-19 infection himself,” he wrote.

“A perfect gentleman and a friend who I have known and worked with for over five years. Someone whose last words to me will stay with me and sadden me for a long time - ‘Dr Ghosh my breathing is getting worse…. I think I am going to die... please help me’.

“RIP Dr Atalla – you were one of the most caring, loving, soft spoken and kind hearted gentleman and colleague I have ever worked with. A massive loss to the patients and to us all at DBTH (Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals).”

Minute's silence planned for key workers lost to coronavirus

In a long post on Facebook, Dr Ghosh also told how hard things have been at the hospital, where he had ‘experienced the absolute terror in patients’ eyes’ when they were diagnosed with COVID-19 by ‘someone whose face they couldn’t even see’.

“I have seen patients die alone (without their near and dear ones around) but thankfully being able to hold a comforting hand of a staff member,” he wrote.

“In all this, I have seen the staff being absolutely professional step up and face the challenges head on. The PPE outfit is one of the most uncomfortable gears to have on but that hasn’t deterred them.

Doncaster nurse begs on Facebook for PPE as hospital moves to reassure staff over gowns

“It not only helped protect against the virus but also to hide their own fears behind the mask so they could give the patients and each other the motivation to fight on.

“I have also seen some staff shed a tear or two and hide their frustration at not being able to do even more for their patients as they would have liked to but having to be limited by the circumstances.”

Dr Ghosh added that colleagues were still having to look after ‘other members of the DBTH family who remain unwell in hospital’ but spoke of his pride at being part of ‘this amazing team’ at the trust which he said was ‘doing such an incredible job in such difficult times and circumstances’.

“We are not only fighting the virus but also the sense of grief, sense of fear, sense of frustration, sense of helplessness at times,” he wrote.

“I feel very proud to be part of the wonderful NHS and of the wider healthcare fraternity all over the world risking our lives but never compromising our dedication towards the care of our patients.

“Everyone please take care and look after yourselves and each other..... the fight is not over yet.”