Doctor from Southend Hospital competing in the Winter Olympics
A Southend Hospital doctor is representing her country in the sport of Luge, after qualifying to compete at the next Winter Olympics, which takes place in China this February.
Elsa Desmond will be lying down on her back, with her feet on a small sled as it twists and turns down a frozen track up to speeds of almost 90 mph.
And although her name is Elsa and she spends lots of time in the snow, she is no Disney Princess. In fact the Luge track is a far cry from being on the wards at Southend Hospital and looking after patients, as Elsa is a foundation doctor in general surgery and her aim is to specialise in anaesthetics.
Elsa lives in Westcliff, but is originally from Cavan in Ireland, and is the first person to qualify for the Winter Olympics representing Ireland in Luge.
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust have given her time off to compete in China, allowing her to complete her internship over three years instead of two. It is something she is very thankful for.
Elsa: “I am so grateful to Southend University Hospital for giving me the flexibility and time off work to allow me to continue my sports career. It is so exciting to know that I am making history; to be the first, that is something that can never be taken away from me and so it is such an honour.”
The Winter Olympics are being held in Beijing and are beginning on February 4 and ending on February 20. Elsa will be competing on February 7 and 8, with her first shift back at the hospital on February 11.
David Walker, chief medical officer for the Trust, said: “We all wish Elsa the best of luck in the Winter Olympics, everyone at the Trust is immensely proud of her and what she has already achieved. It will be exciting to see her compete thousands of miles away in front of millions of people across the world, and we’ll be supporting her right here in Essex.”