Urgent call to help all NHS staff. We might be isolated but please share and spread the word to others.

[happytulip]

Hi Everyone,

I hope you are all well and staying as upbeat as possible.

Can I highlight an issue that I think is being overlooked?

Last night I had a call from a good friend who is an A&E nurse. She is a tough old bird (her words) and it takes alot to make her crack. She was sobbing.

Here's the problem. Our wonderful and amazing NHS staff, all of the nurses, cleaners, porters, doctors, radiographers etc are working very long 12-13 hour shifts and on top of their usual hours are having to put in extra time because so many NHS staff are self-isolating because they are not being tested for COVID19. This means that when the wonderful staff do finally clock off and go to the shops, there is nothing there for them to buy.

My friend was in tears because her cupboards are almost bare, she's so tired on her day off that she just wants to sleep and I can't blame her. Supermarkets in my area are also now restricting opening times which limits things even more for them.

During the fuel crisis, if you worked in healthcare you would just show someone your ID badge and you were allowed fuel.

In the absence of any scheme like this to support NHS staff getting food (and loo roll), I have a suggestion.

Can you please share the above information/situation with friends and if they know anyone who works within the NHS as a neighbour or friend, just drop them a note or a text and see if they have everything that they need to stay healthy and well during this sustained period of stress that they are working under.

I wish I could help but I am isolating but I have put a post on my local support network in our community and they are going to start shopping for NHS workers as well as those in isolation.

It's just a thought and I'd be grateful if people could spread the word. It must be awful to work so hard looking after all of those patients and put yourself at risk, only to discover that when you leave you can't get enough food from the shops to feed yourself.

Massive appreciation to all who pass it on.

Thank you x

[Hidden]

HT, very kind suggestion!🙏

[happytulip in reply to Hidden]

We must all help even if we are in isolation. There is always something we can do. Unfortunately I don't have a FB account and for various reasons won't set one up. But please spread the word x

[Hidden in reply to happytulip]

Definitely. We need to look out for each other at all times, but especially at times like these.🙏

[Barnclown]

🤩 WELL SAID‼️ 👏👏👏👏just shared this with everyone 🍀❤️🍀❤️🍀❤️🍀 Coco

[happytulip in reply to Barnclown]

Thank you so much!

[Barnclown in reply to happytulip]

👍❤️🍀

[overnighthearingloss]

Shared with my contact list.

[happytulip in reply to overnighthearingloss]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[Lupiknits]

Shared x

[happytulip]

Are the shares Facebook shares? If so that is brilliant, keep me posted big it spreads. Team NHS need all the help they can get. X

[misty14]

Hi ht

Your post is fantastic and hopefully will get a good response!. They are easily forgotten when they shouldn't be and are our guardian angels for us all . I've just been talking to a nurse friend today who is prevented from going back to work as she's under investigation and suffering from depression. . She's been told she must abide by the NHS back to work program despite them needing all staff back at work.shes recovered now and been off 4 months!. Seems so ridiculous when she wants to help!. She has offered help to me as I'm isolated and she lives near but I'm ringing her next week to find out resukts of meetings she's got to go to. It's lovely we can support each other, your so right to highlight that even small things can make a difference!. Hope your feeling a little better. Xx

[Horsewhisper]

Just shared this with our local village C19 Support Group - most gratefully received - thanks for the suggestion! Xx

[happytulip in reply to Horsewhisper]

Thank you so much. What part of the UK are you in??

[Horsewhisper in reply to happytulip]

North Oxfordshire. Local people have also offered help with child care/school runs for key workers’ school age children as and when key workers do extra hours/shifts. The local response has been amazing 🤗

[happytulip in reply to Horsewhisper]

I'm in Cambridgeshire and the response has been brilliant too. Let's hope it lasts. Fatigue will set in eventually. Positive posts are very important and it's great to hear how communities are pulling together.

Thanks for sharing and the reply.

[happytulip]

Wow, very powerful and thank you for sharing. You have definitely been heard. You shall not be ignored. Please keep posting.

What am amazing job you do. Working in a hospital is tough, but at least your shift finishes at some point. But being a 24 hour live in carer to a loved one must be the most selfless thing that you could do.

Most communities have set up a network of supportive volunteers who might be able to do the shopping for you. I know a website has been set up across the UK but I don't have the link so if anyone is reading this and knows the link, perhaps they could share it?

Thank you so much for sharing your daily experience. Absolutely, 24 hrs carers must be included as people who are doing a sterling job keeping vulnerable people healthy in their own homes.

Best wishes and admiration.

HT