Bedford Hospital worker described as 'considerate and loving' after dying from coronavirus

  • Anglia

The partner of a maintenance worker at Bedford Hospital has said he "will be missed more than words can say" after he died from Covid-19.

Graham Thorne died on Monday, 20 April, aged 58; he had been treated in the hospital's intensive care unit for over a fortnight.

Mr Thorne was a member of the Estates and Maintenance team at the hospital, and continued working as the outbreak began before falling ill at the end of March.

Mr Thorne's partner Debbie Cox has paid tribute to him Credit: Debbie Cox

His partner Debbie Cox, also a member of staff at the hospital, said she and Mr Thorne's family are "totally devastated".

"He was a quiet, kind, considerate and loving man who was loved by many and will be missed more than words can say," she added.

"I feel Graham deserves to be recognised for losing his life as a result of contracting Covid-19 while doing a job he loved and I feel people need to know that this virus can affect all NHS staff, not just doctors and nurses."

Read more: Anglia region remembers fallen key workers with minute's silence

The hospital's CEO, David Carter, has offered his condolences to Mr Thorne's family.

He said: "Graham was a quiet and friendly member of the team who was incredibly diligent at his work and who will be greatly missed.

“We are saddened to lose another much loved member of the Bedfordshire Hospitals family and our thoughts and condolences are with Graham’s family and colleagues at this incredibly sad time. We ask that the family’s privacy is respected at this time.”

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