Tributes have been paid to a learning disabilities nurse who died after testing positive for coronavirus. Augustine Agyei-Mensah, known to his colleagues as Gus, was described as a “highly regarded team member” at Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS foundation trust (NHFT). Colleagues held a two-minute silence in his honour on Thursday. He leaves behind his wife and four children. The father of four qualified in 2013 and had been working with patients with learning disabilities at the trust since 2014. Originally from Ghana, Agyei-Mensah was proud of his heritage and was dedicated to his young family. In a statement, his family said: “Augustine was a caring husband and loving father to four children. We are devastated by his loss. He was a dedicated, hard-working and proud NHS worker who will be missed by all who knew him.” Angela Hillery, the chief executive of the trust, said Agyei-Mensah cared for some of the most vulnerable people in society, adding: “Lives have been transformed because of him.” She said: “Our hearts break today for Augustine’s wife and young family. We remain committed to supporting them through this time. Augustine epitomised what we stand for here at NHFT. He was committed to making a difference and giving people a second chance.” Before training as a healthcare worker, Agyei-Mensah was employed by South West Trains for four years. He worked closely with the NHFT’s speech and language therapists and psychologists to support people with complex cognitive and sensory needs. Paying tribute to him, the NHFT said: “Augustine always recognised that as a clinician he had an opportunity to support service users in making positive changes.” Colleagues at NHFT have set up a JustGiving page to support his family. Agyei-Mensah is one of at least 165 healthcare workers in the UK who have died from Covid-19. Many family members of those who have died have complained that health professionals are not being given adequate protective equipment as they deal with coronavirus cases.