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Credit
Emma Young's October film - Final edited version. In copyright. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Emma Young, Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Newham University Hospital, filmed in artist's studio in October 2020.
In addition to her role as a Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Dr. Emma Young also served as the Director of Medical Education, overseeing the training and professional development of all junior doctors at Newham Hospital, as well as Emergency Medicine trainees across North East and Central London.
Reflecting on the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Emma Young describes an initial sense of disbelief that gradually gave way to the realization of its seriousness. She discusses ethical dilemmas around intubation and care decisions, especially for vulnerable patients. Despite the challenges, she emphasizes the importance of advocacy for patients unable to speak for themselves.
Dr. Emma Young talks about the emotional impact of the pandemic — moments of exhaustion, tears, and being overwhelmed. She highlights her department’s supportive culture, which encouraged open conversations and offered psychological support.
Drawing on her experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Emma Young speaks about the ethical complexity of medicine, the importance of leadership, and the weight of responsibility that accompanies medical practice during a pandemic. Despite exhaustion and frustration, Dr. Young expresses a deep commitment to her work and belief in doing the right thing.
Keywords: Health inequalities, Death from Covid, Preparedness, Accident and Emergency (A&E), Moral injury, Teamwork, Leadership, Covid messaging, PPE, Covid testing, Ethics