Dental Nurse ICU
“A dental nurse reemployed to assist staff in the starkly contrasting environment of ICU. She’s visually afloat in swathes of information. The equipment mounting ‘stack’ dominates the image, intended to convey the intimidation of this new environment.
Proning in ICU
“A patient gown and a trolly creep into the bottom corner of the image, nearly obscuring the focal point. The ICU was at double capacity, with two patients now occupying one bay. I selected this image, as it conveys this claustrophobic working space, filled with people and equipment.
“Dr Vino, an anaesthetist, checks the breathing tube of a COVID-19 patient before turning them over. This procedure requires meticulous planning, due to the dangers of disconnecting vital equipment and changes that can make it hard to ventilate and deliver oxygen to the patient. A checklist is being used and at least seven members of staff are required to turn this patient safely. Up to 11 or 12 staff are needed for the large patients weighing over 100kg in the Intensive Care Unit.
Team shot in ICU
Hard Work
“Dr Finn emerges from the Intensive Care Unit. He has removed his visor from his PPE after two hours of proning (turning over) patients. A physical and stressful job, his hair is soaked in sweat, with a bead trickling down his temple.
“In contrast to image three, I wanted the viewer to really connect with Finn in this honest, face-on image, in which my friend has no emotional guard up. A bright top spotlight was used again, in the dark corridor exiting ICU. In order to let some light into his eyes, I asked him to pause just before walking directly under the light.