Tributes have been paid to a Swadlincote woman who has died from coronavirus at the hospital where she worked for the last 16 years.

Eileen Landers, a member of the cleaning team at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB), passed away on Sunday (26 April) at Queen's Hospital Burton.

Gavin Boyle, Chief Executive of UHDB NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Eileen joined the trust as a domestic assistant at Queens Hospital Burton in 2004 and was a very popular member of the team.

"Eileen worked in many departments and wards across the hospital, most recently in the discharge lounge, and was known for her high standards, which colleagues and the nursing team say were second to none.

"During her time here she was known for her absolute dedication to her role and her dedication to coming to clean the hospital and protect patients.

"The importance of the role Eileen and her colleagues perform simply cannot be overstated.

"Eileen will be sadly missed by the whole UHDB family, especially by the domestic teams that worked closely with her for those many years.

"Our thoughts and condolences are with Eileen's family."

Eileen's sister Margaret Landers paid tribute to her sibling with a 'heart of gold'.

"Eileen grew up in Tipperary Town in County Tipperary, Ireland, and was the second youngest of eight brothers and sisters where we grew up.

"She came to England in her early twenties and later joined the NHS.

"Eileen had a heart of gold and was the most generous person.

"We will all miss her greatly," she said.

Eileen is the third member of UHDB's staff to die in the last few weeks as a result of coronavirus.

Mr Boyle added: "It takes a great deal of courage to come into the hospital day in day out - our people do without question.

"We still have many difficult days, weeks and months ahead, but their work is making a real difference.

"I can only thank them for everything they are doing in the most difficult of circumstances."

The trust held a minute's silence as part of yesterday's (Tues) International Workers' Memorial Day to remember Eileen, two other colleagues who have died from coronavirus - associate clinical director and ear, nose and throat consultant Amged El-Hawrani and emergency medicine consultant Manjeet Singh Riyat - and David Boyer, a driver for Derbyshire Pathology for 15 years, who passed away last week from a non coronavirus-related illness.