Rankin Photographs the Faces of the NHS
A series profiling the heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic.
To honor and celebrate the British National Health Service, NHS England has teamed up with photographer Rankin to capture 12 individual portraits of workers in various roles, who have been critical in managing the response to COVID-19.
When asked about the inspiration behind the project, Rankin told Hypebeast, “When I was about 20 I worked as a theatre porter at Edgware hospital. It was a life defining time for me. Having grown up in quite a closeted family environment, I got to see what real life was like. During that time I met and worked with some incredible people. They were like a family. Hard-working, committed, passionate and caring, they always inspired me. When COVID-19 hit, it was obvious to me that our frontline workers would be putting their lives at risk. That made me want to do this series. To try to do my bit, if even in a small way!”
“This has been the most challenging year in the NHS’s history, with our amazing staff providing care to almost 100,000 hospitalised Covid patients, and many more in the community. Nurses, doctors, physios, pharmacists, cleaners and countless others have pulled together, bolstered by thousands of former NHS staff who came back to help, alongside a new generation of students who stepped up. As we approach the NHS’s anniversary, these striking portraits pay tribute to all NHS staff and their extraordinary dedication. On July 5th we also want to say thank you to those from all walks of life who have played their part in helping the NHS and our communities,” said NHS Chief Executive Sir Simon Stevens.
Alongside each portrait, the photographer has also included a glimpse into the lives of the people who have supported the UK during the pandemic, including doctors supporting deprived communities in small surgeries in London, to cleaners serving as comfort to COVID-19 patients in the wards.
Take a look at each of the portraits in the gallery above, and see the list below for each of the people featured in the series by Rankin.
- Laura, hospital cleaner, Leighton
- Emma, COVID ward nurse, Manchester
- Farzana, GP, London
- Roopak, COVID-related psychiatry, London
- Sarah, IT role, London
- Claudia, midwife, Coventry
- Anne, district nurse, Midlands
- Marc, ICU consultant, Cheshire
- Ade, pharmacist, Bristol
- Ali, hospital porter, Bristol
- Jack, 111 call handler, Midlands
- Stuart, paramedic, South Central Ambulance Service
