Coronavirus: NHS worker moves into campervan to protect family from Covid-19

Danny Hughes, a paramedic, works for the South East Coast Ambulance Service

(PA)

An NHS worker has moved into a campervan in a bid to keep his family safe from Covid-19.

Ambulance paramedic Danny Hughes said he has been dealing with coronavirus patients on a daily basis and has called on the public to only call for assistance in an emergency.

Mr Hughes, a 28-year-old RAF veteran, has been battling through 12-hour shifts and putting in overtime on the frontline line to help fight the pandemic.

Mr Hughes said he made the decision to move into the campervan because one member of his family is pregnant, while another began to display symptoms.

"The main reason for moving into the campervan is one member of my household while I was away became symptomatic," Mr Hughes explained.

Danny has been living in a campervan to help protect his family against coronavirus (PA)

“Given the state of how busy we are I didn’t think that sitting at home for two weeks would be the best use of my time.

“I thought it was more advantageous to isolate myself temporarily.”

Mr Hughes moved into the mobile home so that he could continue working for the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SEACAmb) while keeping away from his loved ones.

“I wanted to put that step forward and protect my family. I may not have symptoms but there is nothing to say I won’t pass it on to my family,” he added.

Mr Hughes, who lives in Newhaven, also thanked the public for their support while he and colleagues are busy dealing with the coronavirus.

“It has been very positive overall, the public are very supportive of the ambulance service paramedics and of the NHS as a whole," he said.

However, he also called on people to obey government guidance so that the NHS is not “overrun” with Covid-19 cases.

He added: “I have witnessed the effects of the virus and would urge members of the public to read the latest government advice.

“Contact 111 if needed and only call 999 in an emergency to free up ambulances for emergencies.

“We are exceptionally busy as a service.”

On Thursday evening, a national salute is set to take place to honour the hardworking NHS staff who are trying to battle coronavirus.

In a gesture of thanks to healthcare workers, everyone across the nation has been invited to join a mass round of applause from their doorsteps, windows and balconies at 8pm.

The #ClapForOurCarers campaign, which started online, is being staged because “during these unprecedented times they need to know we are grateful”, according to the organisers.

It is running alongside the #LightItBlue campaign which has been organised by members of the events and entertainment industry as a way to say thank you.

The Wembley Arch, the Principality Stadium, the Royal Albert Hall and Lincoln Cathedral are said to be among some of the landmarks which are set to be lit up in blue during the salute.

Chris Moyles and Kate Garraway are among the presenters who have said they are backing the event.

Radio X presenter Moyles rallied his listeners to “make some noise for the thousands and thousands of people [in the NHS] that we’ll probably never meet, just to say ‘thank you’ for everything they are doing for us” with a powerful message.

Gary White and Chuck Crampton, who jointly started the lightblue campaign, said that all venues will use existing LED technology to create a flash of blue on facades and screens.

It means that people at different venues will be able to show their support while staying at home in line with current Government advice during the pandemic.

In a statement, they said: “The events and entertainment industry finds itself in an unprecedented state of enforced inaction.

“The best thing we can do – apart from staying at home – is to use our skills and networks to say thank you to everyone who is supporting the NHS and risking their own health to help others during this pandemic.”

Additional reporting by Press Association