Wednesday this week marked two years since the first lockdown was announced by the Prime Minister and local NHS staff gathered to reflect on the pandemic which changed all our lives.

Simultaneous services were held at Christchurch, Poole and the Royal Bournemouth Hospitals led by the trust’s chaplains and they included poems read by members of staff and the observation of a minute’s silence.

Hospital staff then laid floral tributes and tied ribbons to trees to remember all the sacrifices during the pandemic and all our patients, including those who have sadly died.

Debbie Fleming, chief executive of University Hospitals Dorset said: “This has been a very challenging few years for us all as we changed the way we work to care for the thousands of patients who tested positive for Covid-19 and needed our support.

“Today is a chance for all of us to reflect on each of these patients – to remember all those who recovered, to think about those who are still suffering the long-term consequences of Covid, and to remember in our hearts all those who sadly died.

“We must never underestimate the impact that Covid has had on families across the country. We have all been impacted in one way or another by Covid-19, and I hope that this opportunity to pause and reflect will help us all in moving forwards.

“It is also an opportunity to reflect on the fantastic work of our teams, their dedication and their commitment to our patients.”

The services can be viewed on the trust’s social media channels. Christchurch: UHD Instagram; Poole: UHD Twitter and RBH: UHD Facebook