Tributes paid to nurse who 'truly reflected core values of nursing' | nursing times

A nurse described as “cheerful, hard-working and kind” has died after contracting Covid-19. Chris Buckingham, 60, was a nurse in the continuing health care team at the NHS North Cumbria

Clinical Comissioning Group (CCG), having started his career in the Royal Army Medical Corps. > “Chris truly reflected the core values of nursing and I was proud > to have known him”

>  > Louise Mason-Lodge He is survived by his partner Louise and his two brothers Duncan and Craig, who in a joint statement said Mr Buckingham had contracted Covid-19 while “doing his

duty and giving his time and effort to others". Colleagues have paid tribute to Mr Buckingham, who they said “truly reflected the core values of nursing”. Louise Mason-Lodge, director

of nursing and quality at the CCG, said: “Chris was very highly regarded by his team and by those that came into contact with him. “He was a cheerful, hard-working and kind man who was

supportive to his colleagues and cared about the individuals he worked with. “He was always first to volunteer to support his colleagues when needed,” she said. “Chris truly reflected the

core values of nursing and I was proud to have known him.” She added that there were “no words sufficient to describe our loss” and that his teams were “devastated by the news”. The CCG said

Mr Buckingham was well known across the wider health and care community, having worked at emergency departments at the Cumberland Infirmary, Keswick Community Hospital and Scarborough

Hospitals, after a nursing career that began in the military. His family, Louise, Craig and Duncan, said: “It is sad that Chris contracted Covid, but so typical that he did so doing his duty

and giving his time and effort to others as he did through his nursing, Royal Army Medical Corps, and previously with Swaledale Mountain Rescue.” Tributes have also been paid by friends and

colleagues in the Swaledale Mountain Rescue and the Wainwright Society. Mr Buckingham’s family have asked for donations in his memory to the Nenthead Mining Conservation Society. _Nursing

Times_ has created a memorial page to honour the nursing staff who have lost their lives during the coronavirus pandemic. _TOP IMGAE CREDIT: NHS NORTH CUMBRIA CCG_