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Credit
Hafiz Syed's film - Final edited version. In copyright. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Hafiz Syed, Clinical Lead for Acute Medicine, Ambulatory Care and Stroke at Newham University Hospital, filmed in artist's studio in September 2020.
Dr Hafiz Syed is a Consultant Physician specialising in Geriatrics, Stroke, and Acute Medicine. In 2020, Dr. Hafiz Syed was the Clinical Lead for Acute Medicine at Newham Hospital and also worked at Royal London Hospital. His first encounter with COVID-19 came during a March weekend when the number of cases suddenly surged from just a few to nearly 70 patients. Dr. Hafiz Syed recalls the immense pressure of treating an illness no one yet understood.
The staff faced many challenges, including a lack of knowledge, shortages of critical resources such as ventilators and oxygen, and most of all, the emotional strain of seeing patients die alone. Dr. Hafiz Syed praised teamwork and human solidarity during a crisis. The hospital staff worked tirelessly, showing strong camaraderie.
Dr Hafiz Syed talks about ongoing issues in Newham, including chronic underfunding, inadequate investment in Newham's health infrastructure, and systemic challenges within the NHS. He feels increasingly disempowered by the layers of bureaucracy and politics. Dr Hafiz Syed expressed deep frustration after years of campaigning for equality and adequate resources with little success, and he now questions whether his lack of influence is linked to his skin colour. He believes that the true value of the NHS lies in equitable, holistic care for all.
Keywords: High Dependency Unit (HDU), Health inequalities, Teamwork, Leadership, Difficult conversations, Preparedness, Racism, Moral injury