HOSPITAL WORKER DIES AFTER COVID-19 BATTLE
TRIBUTES PAID TO ‘HIGHLY VALUED’ COLLEAGUE
A THIRD hospital staff member helping fight Covid-19 in Hull has lost their life to the deadly virus.
Nicola Diles had been diagnosed with coronavirus and died at Hull Royal Infirmary on Sunday.
Nicola, who has been described as a “highly valued” colleague, friend and family member, passed away in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit where she was being treated for the effects of Covid-19.
Her death comes six months after medical records administrator Adrian Cruttenden lost his battle with the virus, having been admitted to hospital three weeks earlier after having had a stroke.
Rich Albufera was the second member of staff to die as a result of the virus.
The hospital scientist lost his life in June after “severe complications” of coronavirus.
Tragically, Nicola has become the third hospital worker to have her life claimed by Covid-19 since the pandemic began.
Confirming the news, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive, Chris Long, said: “It is with the deepest regret that I have to announce the death of Nicola Diles.
“Nicola was diagnosed with Covid-19 and died in our Intensive Care Unit at Hull Royal Infirmary on November 15, 2020.
“We send heartfelt condolences to Nicola’s family, friends, workmates and everyone who loved her.
“Nicola’s death is a terrible reminder that Covid-19 continues to devastate our staff and our wider community.
“She is the third member of our team to die following the deaths of Adrian Cruttenden and Rich Albufera in the past few months and we feel the pain of the loss of all three.
“A book of condolence for colleagues to pay tribute to Nicola will shortly be shared among our staff.
“We will continue to support Nicola’s family and ask the media to respect their privacy as they come to terms with their terrible loss.
“We would ask that the privacy of Nicola’s friends and workmates is also respected.”
Nicola began working for the hospital trust permanently in 2016, working as an admin assistant supporting the dietetic team based at Castle Hill Hospital.
Prior to that she worked in a variety of agency administration roles across the trust, meaning many staff and patients will have met her.
Nicola has been described as “a highly valued” member of the team and the trust has put on record their thanks for her years of service to the people of Hull and the East Riding.