A doctor has been forced to make the heartbreaking decision between saving the lives of strangers and looking after his three-year-old son, who is battling cancer and who is at high risk from contracting COVID-19.

Nick Dennison, who works at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey, is this week being re-roled from his usual job a consultant anaesthetist to work as an intensive care doctor along with the rest of his team in a bid to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

Those with lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, are classed as ‘extremely vulnerable’ as they are at risk of severe illness if they catch coronavirus. ‘This virus is a big threat to his life and as I am going to be exposed this week doing my job, I can no longer live at home,’ Nick said.

The doctor went on to explain that he would be moving into a motor home, away from his son and the rest of his family, and ‘will not be able to take any further part in his care for the next 6 months’.

He continued:

I have had to make the difficult choice: to do my job and save lives of people I don’t know, or to be with my son whilst he battles cancer. Alfie hopefully will survive his cancer and chemo, but many people will die from flu.

My heart is broken making this decision, but I choose to save the lives of strangers and leave him in the care of my beautiful wife and family.

The doctor said that, while usually his hospital has between four and 10 patients on ventilators at any one time, it is ‘planning and EXPECTING 80 patients to require ventilation’.

His post finished with a plea to the public to do their bit to socially isolate themselves in order to slow the spread of coronavirus and prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed with the number of cases in the coming weeks.

He wrote:

It seems the public health message is not getting through. Let me be clear. A lot of people are going to die. They will mainly be 70 years plus but be in no doubt, 30-40 year olds will die too.

Pubs have been busy, offices open, social events happening, kids parties etc. It all needs to stop. Infected people shed virus and it must be everywhere by now. It is your social responsibility to engage in social distancing. Actions NOW can prevent further disease transmission, ICU admissions and deaths in 10-20 days.

This virus has been transmitted around the globe unchecked and will not stop until it has no where to go – social distancing/isolation or patient death. Bottom line. SOCIALLY ISOLATE or people die in two weeks.

The doctor’s warning comes as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered a country-wide lockdown last night, March 23, telling the public: ‘You must stay at home.’

For at least three weeks, people will only be allowed outside to buy food or medication, exercise alone once a day, or to travel to work if absolutely necessary. According to the latest figures, there have been 6,650 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the UK and 335 reported deaths.

It’s never been more important to listen to the experts and stay inside. Our thoughts are with all those affected by coronavirus and the families of those who have lost their lives.