NHS Staff Become Angels Thanks To Sussex Artist Horace

Sunday, 15 August 2021 20:59

By John Warburton @Warblefly

The Walking Angels, with Dr. Andrew Hetreed and Dr. Maggie Davies

New paintings depicting NHS staff as angels have been unveiled at two hospitals in West Sussex.

The paintings are now in the critical care departments of Worthing Hospital, and St. Richard's in Chichester.

All the artwork is by local artist Horace, and they're called "The Walking Angels", based on a similar mural already at St Richards.

The pieces recognise all NHS staff for their care of patients and families during the pandemic.

The organ donation committee for Worthing and St Richard’s hospitals commissioned the artist, with Angela Fisher, committee chair, saying:

"This artwork celebrates all the walking angels that inhabit the hospitals, especially critical care colleagues, who have worked tirelessly supporting patients and their families.

"We salute and honour their unselfish achievements during the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The artworks were unveiled by Dame Marianne Griffiths, chief executive of University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, and Dr Maggie Davies, chief nurse in July.

Dame Marianne Griffiths, chief executive, said:

“It was a great pleasure to personally thank the organ donation committee for donating the painting.

"Colleagues, patients and their families will enjoy it for years to come.

"It was also a tremendous privilege to personally thank critical care colleagues who have all worked above and beyond during these challenging times.”

Dr Maggie Davies, chief nurse, added:

“The paintings represent our sense of team and the coming together of colleagues over the last year, which is just so inspiring and humbling.

"I am so proud to work alongside such incredible staff and thank the organ donation committee for this wonderful commemoration.”

The organ donation committee champion deceased donation processes and practice within Worthing and St Richard’s hospitals.

Last year (between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021), there were 12 deceased organ donations at Worthing and St Richard’s hospitals, up from eight from the previous year (published in the transplant activity report).