We are extremely proud of all our colleagues who are contributing to the COVID-19 emergency response. We want to celebrate them by highlighting their contributions over the next few weeks in this mini-series of ‘LMS Emergency Response to COVID-19’. Today we want to introduce you to Dr Hannah Beckwith.

What is your current role within the NHS in the COVID-19 response?

I am currently working in the Renal Department at Hammersmith to help care for the many nephrology patients who, due to immunosuppression for their transplants/disease or by virtue of being on dialysis, are extremely high-risk for COVID-19.

How do you envision that current role might change?

The numbers of patients with COVID-19 are beginning to decrease and we are needing to think about our longer-term plans. Many of our clinics have become virtual and instead of spending days in outpatient clinic, I am now spending a lot of my time on the phone! I think this pandemic will definitely change the way that medicine is practiced- hopefully for the better!

What is your research at the LMS about?

My last job before starting my PhD was as a Medical Registrar- the person who take referrals for all medical admissions to hospital and the first port of call for acute inpatient issues. But as a researcher, I am looking at the roles and regulation of epithelial transporters.

Is there anything you want to share with others about your experience ‘on the front line’?

I’d like to thank the MRC LMS for letting us pause our research to go back and help with the clinical response to COVID-19. I know it’s been said far too many times over the last few weeks, but it’s ‘unprecedented times’. Having the support and flexibility from our research bodies behind us makes things so much easier, thank you, especially with the additional challenge that our toddler’s nursery is closed and my husband working full-time from home. Negotiating both our work schedules and caring for our toddler is definitely a big challenge right now.