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Beyond Words . . . Images from the COVID-19 Pandemic – new OUH book published

18/01/2022
This article is more than two years old.

Beyond Words . . . Images from the COVID-19 Pandemic – a new book to create a permanent record of images to mark an extraordinary time in the personal and professional lives of all our OneTeamOneOUH staff – is published today (Tuesday 18 January).

Many staff submitted photos for inclusion in the book, which has been designed and produced in-house by the Communications and Oxford Medical Illustration (OMI) teams.

Thanks to funding from Oxford Hospitals Charity, printed books are being provided free of charge to all staff who have requested to receive a copy and we are also providing copies for governors, volunteers, and many other people who have supported our response to the pandemic.

In his foreword to Beyond Words, OUH Chief Executive Officer Dr Bruno Holthof writes: "The title (of the book) reflects the fact that our experiences during the pandemic are truly 'beyond words'. Powerful images can tell a story and evoke emotions of a period that we will never forget.

"I am delighted that so many staff submitted their photo memories for this book. Our team efforts in diagnostic testing, infection prevention and control, vaccinations, and new COVID-19 treatments have saved many lives in Oxfordshire, the Thames Valley, England and the rest of the world."

Douglas Graham, Chief Executive of Oxford Hospitals Charity which has not only been by the side of OUH staff throughout the COVID-19 pandemic but also made Beyond Words possible, added: "The past two years have been such a significant chapter in all our lives and it felt important to document the history happening right here, within our hospitals.

"We do also hope the Beyond Words book will act as a small thank you to all those who have worked so hard during these difficult times."

Beyond Words forms part of the Trust's Growing Stronger Together – Rest, Reflect, Recover programme which aims to support the health and wellbeing of all staff working at OUH – it is an opportunity to reflect on a time of unprecedented challenges, both personally and professionally.

It is published as we approach the two-year anniversary of the day when the first COVID-19 positive patients were admitted to OUH for treatment on 4 February 2020.

Beyond Words . . . Images from the COVID-19 Pandemic is also available to read online.