BMA members shared their wide experiences and emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic through our ARM (annual representative meeting) 2020 photography competition.
‘The face behind the mask’ by Emma Fisher
The theme – ‘capturing COVID’ – aimed to find out what the pandemic had meant to doctors across the UK. The photos were submitted in August and were judged on technical merit as well as how well they convey the experiences and emotions of the medical profession during this extraordinary period.
The winner is Emma Fisher, whose self-portrait, ‘The face behind the mask’, shows one of the simple things a doctor can do in the face of COVID-19.
For Emma, who works in the intensive care unit at North Devon District Hospital, it was important to bring ‘a touch of humanity’ to her work. Taped to the front of her gown is a photo of herself ‘smiling in normal clothes, without PPE’. Emma uses this photo to introduce herself to COVID-19 patients and remind them of the real, caring individual behind the PPE.
Alongside Emma, we have awarded two runners-up.
‘A grandson, a doctor and a caring hand at a time when human touch is most needed yet most restricted’ – above – by Christine Aziz and her brother Bahig Aziz is a deeply moving photograph of her patients, her grandparents, taken shortly after her night shift at Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust ended, and there simply to say goodbye. ‘Happily married for 70 years of marriage, even COVID-19 could not separate them. Love never fails.’
Paul Simcock, consultant histopathologist at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, warns: ‘As a return from complete lockdown to normality begins, there remain reminders that we are not out of the woods yet.’ His ‘Fairground safety’ shows ‘the new normal’.
‘Fairground safety’ by Paul Simcock
Paul Simcock, consultant histopathologist at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, warns: ‘As a return from complete lockdown to normality begins, there remain reminders that we are not out of the woods yet.’ His ‘Fairground safety’ shows ‘the new normal’.
The variety of the entries impressed the competition judges, which included representative body chair Helena McKeown and deputy chair Latifa Patel. ‘It has been great to see so many wonderful photographs – the theme of “capturing COVID” seems to have really struck a chord with doctors,’ the judges said.
As winner, Dr Fisher will receive a printed and framed copy of her photograph and the BMA will contribute £250 on her behalf to the BMA COVID appeal. Dr Simcock and Dr Aziz will each receive printed and framed copies of their photographs and we will contribute £100 on each of their behalf to the BMA COVID appeal.