Please support our fabulous Heath workers!

[FarmerD]

I just want stress the ridiculous situation our amazing health workers find themselves in.This government have treated them atrociously.These people go far beyond their work remit while caring for us,for a paltry remuneration.Oddly some of the cleaners of wards I,ve stayed in have also been some of the most caring and helpful people I have metOur society needs to start appreciating these people rather those idiots who kick a bit of leather round a park for obscene amounts of money.When our health workers decide they have to strike something is seriously wrong.

[O2Trees]

Something is definitely seriously wrong.

Ive been on the picket today at our main hospital - sorry to those who've read this on other post - and the low turn out was low due to the trust refusing to pay the rest of the hours after the official 4 hours of the strike, so no pay at all today if you were out on strike.

Just two electricians in our union (Unite) on the picket line and they were saying exactly what you are saying, that the cleaners, and porters too, should be valued and paid properly - that the cleaners often stay longer than their contracted hours as they insist on finishing the cleaning in their particular wards even though they won't be paid for overtime. They take pride in their job, they are as essential as clinical staff but no-one respects them.

[Hidden]

Hi farmerD, as an ex hospital worker I totally agree, a nurses pay is awful, and lack of staff is ridiculous, resulting in hospitals having to use agency workers at triple the cost, and no offence intended but most are foreign and unable to do the same job due to PIN numbers and training as the hospital staff nurses resulting in them doing twice as much work for a lot less pay, even some of the cleaners are on more money than the HCA's , not that the cleaners don't deserve it either, all staff in hospitals have a role and without each other a hospital cannot run and so should be paid what they deserve, it just don't figure, I loved my job and upsets me I can no longer do it, don't get me wrong there was a few colleagues that looked like they were chewing a wasp and had no place in a peoples care environment, but overworked , low wages and lack of staff I suppose can make u that way over time , but bedside manner doesn't cost anything at all and that's why we do the job in the first place, but considering what a footballer gets paid to kick a ball around compared to our nurses, soldiers etc this country is arseole backwards. And they say there's no money about but pay millions for one player disgusting , Anyway rant over, anyway how's u lol ????? X Sonia x

[katieoxo60]

Thank you for this post, the wages of NHS staff do not reflect the responsibility of the job. A one percent rise may be better than none but is only a splash in the pan when your on low pay already. We should support these staff wholeheartedly for a better employment deal that acknowledges their hard work and dedication. I recall working at our local hospital during the last strike many moons ago, and having to cross the picket line due to being part of the essential basic services staff who were not allowed to strike only work to rule. As I recall that time did make an impression, so hopefully this action will also.

[medow]

Totally agree with all that's been said and thank you farmer for bringing it to this forum, I think what's happening now is the only way of looking at anything is through the lens of money, and qualitys like humanity, empathy, justice and fairness never seems to get an airing by the powers that be. I could go on for an age, but won't be a bore, it's wonderful that there's still people that hold the values of a civilisation around, and more power to their voice x x

[medow]

Totally agree with all that's been said and thank you farmer for bringing it to this forum, I think what's happening now is the only way of looking at anything is through the lens of money, and qualitys like humanity, empathy, justice and fairness never seems to get an airing by the powers that be. I could go on for an age, but won't be a bore, it's wonderful that there's still people that hold the values of a civilisation around, and more power to their voice x x

[Suzy6]

I agree Farmer our health workers are wonderful and they certainly do go beyond their work remit. Not sure about Managers though. When I ended up in A & E before my diagnoses I was in the A & E ward for 36 hours while they were trying in increase my 02 level and seeing if I could hold them when taken off oxygen. I don't think there was a free bed to admit me. I was beside their work station and I guess the men I saw in expensive suits asking questions were Managers. Only stayed about 5 mins at most. reserve my judgement of them. The poor nurses and doctors were rushed off their feet but still were friendly and caring. The cleaners too.

[FarmerD]

Thank you friends,I,m so glad there are still some of us that can see further than the pound in our own pocket!D.

[Hidden]

Hi I thoroughly support all the NHS workers and would pay them double if I could, What this Govt. is doing to them is appalling and they should try not giving themselves big pay rises - fat chance!

A couple of things though. I agree that footballers are massively overpaid but having said that there are only a hundred or so in the Uk who earn big money. Most of them don't earn millions.

What makes me annoyed is things like a piece I saw in the paper today saying how nurses are so poor they are having to borrow money. Now I know they are worth much more but the lowest paid nurse starts out at over £20,000. If they can't manage how the hell do HCA's, porters and the cleaners who are probably on minimum wage or slightly more manage?

coughalot x

[elja]

I'm glad FarmerD brought this up and delighted that there are so many positive comments. I agree with what's been said already. I completely support the strikers: they are being made to pay for the economic crisis that was created by people earning obscene amounts of money. Nobody takes strike action without serious consideration and losing pay when you're already on a low wage isn't easy. I wish them every success.

[onamission]

I used to work for the NHS I did 16 years all nights and latterly I did ''bank'' so I have seen first hand how the NHS has been run down.

I have also voted labour all my life then Mr Brow and co put ridiculous sanctions' on the NHS then Mr Cameron and co came along and carried on with these ridiculous sanctions and this is why many hospitals including my local hospital are having to go cap in hand to the government.

I also remember going on strike not long after I started training what is really sad if all the tax from smoking went in to the NHS we would have the finest health service in the world but some greedy so and so in government thought the NHS could run on peanuts.

I would never vote for either of the moron parties above seeing first hand what they have done to our NHS I think hospitals should be run by managers and consultants and only then will nurses, cleaners and porters get treated with respect

[FarmerD]

Thanks for reply Ona,I too struggle with my support for the Labour Party son of Thatcher Blair nearly finished them for me but I feel we may be on the way back to some form of socialism.The election will be fought on the NHS and hopefully people like me will be able to put enough pressure on the powers that be to make a difference.Take care. D.

[onamission]

A lot is coming out in the news about Tony Blair some of it has made my hair curl but we must remember the 2nd biggest strain on the NHS was when we joined the EU and members of the EU were allowed to travel in and out of the UK and entitled to NHS and benefits. I have been on A&E on a Friday night during my '' bank'' time and we have had to get interpreters in the cost to the NHS for this service in some cases was more than a nurse's hourly rate.

It is true the NHS has taken a battering over the years and has been miss- managed as I said in my last post I voted labour from the age of 18 to until brown put the sanctions on the NHS and I vowed never to vote for them again and then came along Cameron and continued with the sanctions.

I believe in re-incarnation and I'm going to make a B line for number 10 revenge is sweet but I plan to stay put till I'm 140 to get my pension after all the tax I paid as a single women and when I was unable to work they told me my husband should keep me, so now you understand my frustration.

Just keep going farmer D your input on this site is great and I always read your post with intrest