‘’I’ve had messages from so many people – it’s been amazing.’’
A photo of Velinda Beran, Sister and team leader on our cardiac intensive care unit at St George’s, can be seen all over the world at present.
The image – which is also being used as part of a new Government campaign – shows Velinda treating a patient in ITU at St George’s during the peak of the Covid wave in early January.
Velinda said: ‘’I feel genuinely honoured and privileged to represent our excellent team on cardiac intensive care in this way. They are a truly amazing group of people.’’
Velinda, who is originally from the Philippines, has worked in intensive care at St George’s for over 12 years.
‘’Covid has been so difficult for everyone – and from an ITU perspective, everything is so new, but we always seem to find a way of getting through it. The job is tiring, but also rewarding – I feel like I’m part of making things better.’’
Since the images appeared in the media, and in a new advertising campaign urging people not to bend the rules when it comes to Covid-19, Velinda has received messages from all over the world:
‘’I’ve had messages from all over the place – people even offering to say prayers for me. The messages have been so kind and supportive – yesterday, I even got a text saying my picture was on one of the big screens at Piccadilly Circus! Its everywhere in Tooting as well. It’s a bit strange, but if it helps get the message across about how serious Covid is, then I want to keep helping.”
