Northern Ireland

Photo book captures front line during pandemic

Dr Tuck Goh captured images of staff at the Ulster Hospital during the pandemic.
Dr Tuck Goh captured images of staff at the Ulster Hospital during the pandemic. Dr Tuck Goh captured images of staff at the Ulster Hospital during the pandemic.
By Allan Preston

AN emergency doctor at the Ulster Hospital has praised the courage of his colleagues with a new photo book capturing their experiences on the front line during the pandemic.

Dr Tuck Goh’s book Together is a poignant collection of images showing staff in the South Eastern Trust as they worked against the odds to treat and reassure patients.

It has now been gifted to staff, with Dr Goh saying he felt compelled to put on record the effect the pandemic had on staff and patients during an uncertain and frightening time.

“Patients were separated from their loved ones due to Covid-19 restrictions. This book documents the isolation that patients experienced while in the emergency department and beyond and the strength and courage that staff showed during such a challenging time,” he said.

Dr Tuck Goh captured images of staff at the Ulster Hospital during the pandemic.
Dr Tuck Goh captured images of staff at the Ulster Hospital during the pandemic. Dr Tuck Goh captured images of staff at the Ulster Hospital during the pandemic.

“I hope that this book will stand the test of time. In years to come, looking back at the pictures and the narrative in the book will hopefully remind people of how we got through the pandemic, standing together and supporting those in most need.”

South Eastern Chief Executive Roisin Coulter added her thanks to the “outstanding” staff across every department.

“In March 2020 when people were being urged to stay at home, trust staff and indeed all health service staff in Northern Ireland, courageously prepared to tackle Covid-19, a virus that was killing millions of people across the globe,” she said.

“At that stage, there wasn’t a vaccine to protect staff who were risking their lives to help others.

“The care that our staff provided to our patients, service users and clients was outstanding and saved many lives, not just in our hospitals but across the community we serve.”

Dr Tuck Goh captured images of staff at the Ulster Hospital during the pandemic.
Dr Tuck Goh captured images of staff at the Ulster Hospital during the pandemic. Dr Tuck Goh captured images of staff at the Ulster Hospital during the pandemic.

According to the Department of Health, a total of 3,445 deaths linked to Covid were recorded in Northern Ireland by May 2022.

History was made on December 8, 2020, when nurse Joanna Hogg became the first person in Northern Ireland to receive a Covid vaccine at the Royal Victoria Hospital.

Since then, close to four million jabs have been administered. A winter booster vaccination programme is currently underway with care home residents and staff among the first in line.

Dr Tuck Goh captured images of staff at the Ulster Hospital during the pandemic.
Dr Tuck Goh captured images of staff at the Ulster Hospital during the pandemic. Dr Tuck Goh captured images of staff at the Ulster Hospital during the pandemic.