Yasmin Qureshi MP praises 'wonderful hospital staff' after being admitted with Covid-pneumonia

BRITISH ASIAN MP Yasmin Qureshi has praised the “wonderful staff” caring for her following her admittance to hospital on Saturday (17) with Covid-related pneumonia.

Qureshi, the Labour MP for Bolton South East, was admitted to the Royal Bolton hospital at the weekend after her condition deteriorated. The shadow international development minister had started to feel unwell two weeks ago before testing positive for coronavirus. The 57-year-old had previously been self-isolating for 10 days but said she felt “much worse” on Saturday.

Writing on social media, Qureshi said she was “being very well looked after” and “had nothing but praise and admiration for the wonderful staff at the hospital”.

“They have been amazing throughout the process and I would like to extend my thanks to everyone working here in such difficult circumstances,” she said.

Prior to her hospital admittance, Qureshi said she had continued to work remotely at home in Bolton, attending virtual meetings and doing casework. She had asked written questions of the Department for Education on Thursday (15) and Friday (16) last week.

The British-Pakistani MP has represented Bolton South East since 2010 and was a shadow justice minister under former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. She was appointed to her current role by Corbyn’s successor Sir Keir Starmer in April.

A number of MPs have sent Qureshi their best wishes, including Starmer and Conservative MP Angela Richardson.

“My thoughts are with my friend Yasmin Qureshi, who has been admitted to hospital after being diagnosed with Covid-19,” Starmer tweeted. “My thanks go to the staff caring for Yasmin at the Royal Bolton hospital, along with NHS staff across the country who are on the frontline against Covid-19.”

“Very sorry to hear of the hospitalisation of Yasmin Qureshi MP due to Covid-19,” Richardson, representative for Guildford, said. “My thoughts are with her and her family and friends for a speedy recovery.”

Several Asian MPs, including Rushanara Ali, Tan Dhesi and Valerie Vaz, also wished Qureshi a speedy recovery.