Hannah Grace Deller, a paediatric matron and trained photographer at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, captured significant moments of her and her colleagues’ experiences during the Covid pandemic through photography. Her work, appreciated by figures like Grayson Perry and Martin Parr, led to the publication of a book titled "Working on the Frontline," which documents the reactions of nurses and the public during and after the pandemic.
During the pandemic, public support for NHS workers was marked by national applause, though Deller noted that the celebratory gestures often contrasted with the actual conditions and recognition given to medical staff. Discontent about pay and working conditions led to protests; a significant one occurred on July 29, 2020, where nurses demanded a pay rise after being offered a mere 1%.
The book also explores personal stories of nurses who left their professions post-pandemic. For instance, a French nurse, disillusioned by Brexit and the pandemic’s impact, moved to France to run an Airbnb, symbolically burning her uniforms as a therapeutic gesture. Another nurse, Natasha, left due to burnout and disappointment over pay disputes, choosing instead to travel with her husband.
These departures reflect broader sentiments among some nurses who sought different paths abroad or in new careers, driven by the cumulative pressures of their pandemic experiences. The publication of Deller's photographs offers a visual account of these challenging times and the personal decisions emerging from them.