Sean Bourke's film - Final edited version with audio description and transcript

Sean Bourke, Chief Registrar - Emergency Medicine at Newham University Hospital, filmed in artist's studio in September 2020.

In 2020 Dr Sean Bourke worked as an Emergency Medicine Registrar at Newham Hospital, close to completing his specialty training. His job involves managing the emergency department, reviewing patients, leading critical cases, and providing support to more junior clinicians, especially during overnight shifts when Consultants are off site.

Dr. Bourke recalls how at the start of the COVID pandemic, temporary “pods” were set up outside the hospital for suspected cases, but the system was disorganised. One of his early encounters was with a young man returning from China with a fever, at a time when PPE guidance was unclear. Staff improvised with whatever protective gear they had and escorted patients through the main waiting area to reach the pods. They took swabs, asked basic questions, and emailed results to virologists and Public Health England before sending patients home unless they were unwell. Looking back, Dr. Bourke reflects on how rudimentary the process was and questions why the Emergency Department (ED) was responsible for handling suspected COVID cases without a more structured system in place.

He remembers standing around a computer with colleagues, looking at an X-ray of the lungs and wondering what they were seeing, just odd, patchy markings. Within 48 hours, they saw the same changes on countless patients. The emotional toll was significant, especially when caring for critically ill patients who could not have relatives present. Dr. Bourke recounts a case of a man with severe COPD who deteriorated and died while isolated in the COVID area. Restrictions prevented timely family presence, and the lack of established protocols left staff uncertain about managing the environment and after death procedures.

Despite the challenges, Dr. Bourke highlights the strong teamwork within Newham’s ED and efforts to support junior staff through training, drills, and regular check ins. Community gestures, such as free meals and drinks funded by the hospital charity, helped staff feel appreciated.

Reflecting on Newham, he talks about deep socioeconomic inequalities that contributed to the borough’s disproportionate suffering during the pandemic. Dr. Bourke express frustration that despite staff giving so much, long standing issues affecting local communities persist and were highlighted dramatically during COVID’s first wave. Limited resources, overcrowded housing, language barriers, financial pressures, things far beyond an individual’s control.

Dr. Bourke expresses doubts about the effectiveness and accessibility of national testing and tracing systems, especially for residents facing language, technological, or transport barriers. He also argues that symbolic gestures like clapping are not enough, meaningful change requires real investment, fair pay, and political accountability.

Keywords: Accident and Emergency (A&E), Preparedness, Health inequalities, Impact on family, Death from Covid

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