Chesterfield Royal Hospital issues statement after 'wonderful' Chesterfield woman died from coronavirus

Sheila Wilmot, 64, who lived in the Lowgates area of Staveley, passed away at the hospital on Sunday after spending five days on a ward battling the virus.

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In an emotional tribute, her family said Sheila was ‘the glue which held them together’.

Sheila’s niece Amy Hill said staff at the Royal ‘could not have done more’ but ‘it was obvious they were in desperate need of more protective equipment’.

Lynn Andrew, director of nursing and patient care at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with Mrs Wilmot’s family at this sad time in their lives.

“I completely appreciate how hard it is right now for those who can’t be with a loved-one at the end of their life.

“I am pleased that staff arranged for a close relative to be with Mrs Wilmot when she passed away and that her family felt the ward staff ‘couldn’t have done more’.

“I will personally make sure that the ward’s stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE) are checked.

“The hospital has PPE supplies to care for patients with suspected and confirmed Covid-19 and deliveries to our wards are made seven days a week to keep up with demand at this challenging time.

“These are unprecedented times for the Royal – and for all hospitals in the NHS.

“We have benefitted from some extraordinary acts of kindness over the past few weeks.

“Supporting our Chesterfield Royal Protect Your NHS appeal at such a difficult time is so generous of this family and we will make sure it is put to good use just as they wish.”

Chesterfield Royal Hospital has so far said three other patients who tested positive for Covid-19 have sadly died.

On Friday, the hospital said a patient in their 70s with an underlying health condition and a patient in their 80s with an underlying health condition had passed away.

On Tuesday, the hospital said a patient in their 80s with an underlying health condition had died.

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