Introduction and context
We think of COVID-19's losses and bereavement in the broader knowledge that many health and socio-economic inequalities have led to COVID-19's disproportionate impact on people with intersecting protected characteristics, whom we serve. Delivering services in some of London's most socio-economically deprived boroughs, and in our services in Essex, Kent, Medway, Surrey and West Sussex, we are acutely aware of the direct effect on communities from COVID-19, on local NHS hospitals and the wider healthcare system during this national - and international - crisis.