Bravery and comradery on Wythenshawe's last Covid ward

"We've been doing this for a long time but we are still smiling. We are still positive."

Thomas Kellet's team at Wythenshawe Hospital's primary coronavirus ward have witnessed more heartbreak in the last two years than most would see in a lifetime.

The A1 ward has been treating people for the harrowing effects of the virus since early 2020.

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During that time they've had to hold the hands of dying patients, support families who can't be with their loved ones, and cover for each other after getting sick themselves.

They've also had to prepare for new variants of the disease with little or no information, and understand a whole new set of drugs and treatment practices.

Despite the horrors of what they've seen, the team's bravery and comradery is stronger than it's ever been.

"It's been a journey," says Thomas, who is A1 Covid-19 Respiratory Ward Manager.

He has the wellbeing of patients, over 40 members of staff, and three young children at home on the weight of his shoulders.

When the Manchester Evening News was granted special access to the hospital earlier this month, A1 was the hospital's last remaining coronavirus ward - with around 25 patients.

During the height of Omicron in January this year, the picture was very different.

The hospital was operating four to five 28-bedded coronavirus wards, as hundreds of patients who were admitted tested positive for the highly contagious strain.

"Staff were very apprehensive about Omicron," Thomas recalls.

"There was no data out there. Nobody knew how it was going to affect us.

"But we just do what we do. We delivered the same treatment, whatever variant. We give fantastic care to any patient that comes in.

"We overcame that