Tributes paid to ‘dedicated’ anaesthetist who died after contracting Covid-19

A “quiet and dedicated” consultant anaesthetist has died after contracting Covid-19.

The University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust (UHDB) said Dr Krishnan Subramanian, who worked at the Royal Derby Hospital, died on Thursday.

Dr Subramanian, who was in his late 40s, was being treated at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester before his death.

Trust chief executive Gavin Boyle said: “This is a very sad day for the UHDB family. Krishnan was a hugely valued member of the team who had worked tirelessly this year to support those who needed care.

“Our thoughts are with his family at this time and I would like to offer our sincere condolences to them on behalf of everyone at UHDB.

“Our anaesthetics and theatres teams have worked incredibly hard this year in creating additional capacity for patients and staffing intensive care areas.

“For them to lose Krishnan in this way is heart-breaking and we will be doing everything to support the teams over the days and weeks to come.

“Losing Krishnan will undoubtedly impact on all of our staff and we have made sure that support, such as counselling, is available to all of them.

“Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank colleagues at University Hospitals of Leicester for the care they have given to Krishnan and his family, it is appreciated by everyone at UHDB.”

Dr Subramanian joined UHDB at the beginning of 2014 as a consultant anaesthetist.

The trust said he had previously worked at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, and trained at hospitals across the East Midlands earlier in his career.

Dr John Williams, clinical director of anaesthetics and theatres, said: “Krishnan was a quiet and dedicated colleague.

“Hugely committed to his work, he stood out for his tireless patience with trainee doctors, for his professionalism and for his characteristic grin.

“He was a calm and reliable presence in what is often a busy working environment and I know many colleagues valued the qualities he brought to the role.

“He came here in his first consultant post and in the subsequent six years went on to lead some innovative anaesthetic techniques, presenting nationally and internationally his work on anaesthesia for breast surgery.

“Away from work he was a devoted family man and a man whose faith meant a lot to him. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.”

Dr Kathy McLean, chair of UHDB, said: “On behalf of the board and governors and the communities we serve, I would like to offer our sincere condolences to Dr Krishnan Subramanian’s family.

“Dr Subramanian was a committed consultant who took huge pride in his work and will be greatly missed.

“This is a very sad day for the UHDB family and our thoughts are with his close colleagues, who will be here today continuing to provide care for those who need us.”

The trust said a minute’s silence will be held for Dr Subramanian at the hospital on Monday.