Hospital staff pay tribute to "wonderful" Norfolk nurse
A nurse from the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital has died.
Last updated 7th Feb 2021
The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has confirmed that a staff nurse has died after testing positive for Covid-19.
It says Emergency Department Staff Nurse, Estrella Catalan, who'd been receiving treatment in the hospital's Critical Care Complex, passed away on Friday evening.
Sam Higginson, Chief Executive at NNUH, said: “Our deepest and heartfelt condolences are with Estrella’s loved ones and friends at this very difficult time and with all those who worked alongside Estrella and knew her.
“Estrella has worked for the Trust for more than 18 years, joining in September 2002, working as a staff nurse on Gunthorpe and Heydon wards, and was a hugely respected, loved and dedicated member of the Emergency Department team and the Acute Stroke Team.
"She was a wonderful person and a caring and conscientious nurse, who loved to teach and mentor students; she will be terribly missed.
“We know this will be a huge shock to our staff and over the coming days and weeks we will formulate a fitting memorial to Estrella in collaboration with her family, friends and colleagues.
“This is a heart-breaking reminder of the situation we are facing every day to help others and we want to thank our staff for their ongoing courage and commitment during the pandemic.”
David White, Chairman at NNUH, said: “On behalf of the board, I would like to offer our deepest sympathies to Estrella’s family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time. Every Covid-19 death is a tragedy and to lose one of our own is even more poignant.
"Our thoughts are with all her colleagues and the NNUH staff who did their very best for Estrella.”
It appears colleagues of Estrella are planning to hold a minute's silence and a one minute clap in her memory outside the Emergency Department on Monday 8th February.