Rob Sapsford: cardiologist whose generalist knowledge, humour, and calm authority made him “virtually irreplaceable”
In early April 2020, staff at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust gathered to prepare for the wave of covid-19 patients they knew were coming their way. The UK’s first lockdown had been announced a week before and London had already seen a huge spike in cases. “We were all feeling a bit terrified about what was going to happen,” said Andy Walker, then a cardiology registrar. “Whenever I think of that time, I think of Rob. We were on a balcony, looking out over Leeds. It’s normally a busy city centre, yet there was no noise, no traffic, and nothing moving. It was like a disaster movie and we were anxious and worried. But I remember him sitting with us. He bought us coffee and tiffin cake to share; his calm and fun presence was reassuring and helped us to feel at ease.” That calmness and reassuring authority is something that many colleagues of consultant cardiologist Rob Sapsford remember. They paint a picture of a kind, unflappable, and down-to-earth man who made time to chat to everyon
