Hundreds of NHS medics applaud coffin of doc, 58, killed by coronavirus in emotional send-off

THIS video shows the moving moment hundreds of NHS workers clapped the coffin of an orthopaedic surgeon who died from coronavirus during an emotional send-off.

Dad-of-four Sadeq Elhowsh, 58, who had worked for St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in Merseyside for 17 years, died at Whiston Hospital on Monday evening.

⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

Hundreds of NHS workers gave the top surgeon an emotional send-off during his funeral procession yesterdayIn a touching final goodbye to the popular doctor, the entire staff at Whiston Hospital came out to give him a hero's reception during his funeral procession.

Sadeq is one of more than 100 frontline health and care workers who have died from Covid-19.

Many families have said their deaths were caused by a lack of adequate personal protective equipment.

Pals and colleagues said Sadeq, 58, would be remembered for his famous quote: "Don't worry. I will sort it."

A GoFundMe appeal has been set up to help fund the education of his sons.

The page reads: "He was well respected by all the patients, and dearly loved by all the staff, colleagues and juniors.

"He is a proud father of four sons and the eldest has been offered medical school admission this year, which he is so proud of.

"He left us before he could cherish the moments of seeing his son as a medical graduate."

Hospital chief executive Ann Marr OBE said: "Sadeq will be sadly missed by all who knew and worked with him.

"He was without doubt a much-loved member of the team.

"All our thoughts are with Sadeq's family and friends at this time and we offer them our sincere condolences."

Nursing Notes on Monday revealed the grim news that at least 100 health and social care workers are now believed to have died from the deadly virus.

Nurse Josephine Matseke, known fondly as Manini, worked at Southport Hospital.

She served 20 years in the NHS and leaves behind devastated husband Thabo and her two children Bongani and Buhle, who have returned to the family's native South Africa. Heartbroken Thabo said: "She's my heroine."

Gerallt Davies - who was given an MBE in the Queen's birthday honours last year - died on Monday in hospital.

His death was described as a "devastating blow" by the Welsh Ambulance service after being the first paramedic to die from the virus.

Gerallt, 56, served at Cwmbwrla Station in Swansea after working for the service for more than 25 years.

Dr Craig Wakeham, 59, died on Saturday at Dorset County Hospital as colleagues and friends paid tribute to the “much loved” father of two boys.

And a "kind and gentle" award-winning NHS mental health nurse was another to have been tragically named yesterday.

Khulisani Nkala, affectionately known as Khuli, was described by colleagues as a "well-respected and selfless professional nurse, who always put the patient first".

The 46-year-old had been working as a charge nurse in the forensic services at Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust before he died on Friday, April 17.

Dr Sara Munro, Chief Executive of Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: "This is the first member of our particular NHS family to lose their life to COVID19, and I sincerely hope it will be the last.

"Khuli was someone who took his responsibilities as a trainer and professional mentor very seriously, taking many student nurses under his wing and taking the time to nurture the next generation of talent.

"He won an award from the University of Leeds for his mentoring work for which he should have been very proud."