An intensive care doctor has described the heartbreaking moment staff moved a patient's bed to another ward so they could hold their partner's hand as they died.
Describing the lengths of care that hospital workers are still providing despite the pressures of Covid-19, Dr Chris Gough, who is an intensive care consultant at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, described the heartwrenching scene as "emotional for everyone".
Wales Online reports that the medic took to Twitter on December 16 to say: "Last night we moved a patient from one ward to another, so they could hold their partner’s hand as they died. Two hospital beds pushed together.
"Hands stretched out and holding each other. Emotional for everyone.
"We still provide the best care we can, despite everything."
The tweet has received thousands of likes, with many praising the "lovely gesture".
"The good people of this country appreciate all you have done Chris. Personally I’m not sure where you are still getting the energy from but I thank you for everything," wrote Darren Bellamy.
User Lutra Lutra wrote: "In tears at that lovely gesture... We need to fight for the NHS before it is destroyed!"
"To be showing such love and compassion in the midst of all this is simply remarkable. This is emotional to read, never mind to experience. More power to you all," said Eagleowl.
Peter Brackley added: "Despite the chronic neglect of the NHS for ten years from 2010 and the huge staffing shortfall, the one thing that the NHS has never been short of is the amazing staff that work their socks off to look after us. Thank you for your care, your empathy and professionalism."
The emotional tweet comes as the NHS faces pressure amid the wave of Omicron cases.
It appears Omicron is less severe but far more transmissible than other forms of the virus, with the sheer number of infections expected to have a detrimental impact on all routine health care.
Two doses of the vaccine have been found to offer much less protection against Omicron compared with Delta, however a booster vaccine offers improved protection against the new variant.
The country is in a race against time to administer the booster vaccine to all eligible adults before the expected peak of the Omicron wave in late January.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
