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Credit
Andrew Kelso's film - Final edited version. In copyright. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Andrew Kelso, Consultant Neurologist and Medical Director at Newham University Hospital, filmed in artist's studio in October 2020.
In 2020, Dr. Andrew Kelso was the most senior doctor in the hospital, responsible for overseeing the professional activities of all doctors and ensuring the safety and quality of care provided.
He recalls how, when the news first broke, Covid-19 was perceived in the UK as a disease in a far-off country; it just felt like another SARS. When the virus eventually reached the UK, information was either very limited or highly sensationalised, particularly on social media. It was hard to know what the real situation was, and that was anxiety-provoking. Dr. Kelso compares the Covid-19 crisis to the early days of the Second World War, reflecting that it must have felt similar, a major incident gradually unfolding before your eyes, and nobody was quite sure what to do.
Dr. Kelso talks about having to move wards at short notice, dealing with constant changes of plan, and continually trying to find the best solutions for both the hospital and its patients. With many team members falling ill, Dr. Kelso recalls the difficult times with little support and a sense of isolation. He also reflects on the profound effect the pandemic had on everyone, both personally and professionally.
Keywords: Leadership, Moral injury, Teamwork, Covid messaging, Covid testing, Anxiety, Fear, Guilt