Families forced to say their final goodbyes to coronavirus victims via Skype

Dr Ron Daniels, who works at Birmingham Hospital, said doctors, nurses and support staff are in tears on every shift as they pull together in a ‘war effort’.

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They are also unable to offer some of the usual bedside comfort to dying people, in part because they need to wear personal protective equipment.

Dr Daniels said his own hospital is allowing one relative in when it becomes apparent that a coronavirus patient is nearing the end of their life in intensive care.

“Other family members, in consideration for their safety, are encouraged to say goodbye over Skype,” he added.

“There are nurses and doctors and healthcare assistants in tears on every shift, because they care.

“Usually, end of life care involves face-to-face discussions with family, spending time with the patient and for example, being able to touch them and show empathy.

“But wearing PPE has created a barrier to that and there is simply not the luxury to be able to do that, with too many people dying and close family unable to be there.”

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Most hospitals around the country have at least doubled their critical care capacity in response to Covid-19.

Dr Daniels said only half of all people on intensive care units are surviving, with the prognosis much worse among older people.

“The outcomes for Covid-19 are worse than for normal pneumonia, he added.

“This is a condition unlike anything else we've seen before.”

Dr Daniels, who is the founder of the UK Sepsis Trust and its executive director, said staff absence due to illness or self-isolation was impacting on hospitals.

He added: “What's incredible is the collaboration between the health professions and between professional disciplines.

“This really does feel like a war effort with everybody stepping up to the plate, operating outside their comfort zones, and working together in the patients' interests.”