Thread by @sbattrawden

I am worried we will be facing a mass exodus of NHS staff at the end of this wave. If we do not look after our staff now there will be no-one left to look after our patients. If you support us will you follow and RT to your followers? A very tired ICU doctor 🙏🏻

I would never have got through the last year without my colleagues. So I am so sad that many of them are planning their exit from the NHS. These are dedicated doctors and nurses, the same people we clapped for every Thursday, and there is a very real risk we could lose them.

There is no doubt there is a lot of trauma. We were never trained to hold iPads so families could say their goodbyes. To ventilate our colleagues. To clap as their hursts drove past our EDs. But when you listen, really listen to people about why the want to leave, it’s not that.

Morale was at rock bottom before the pandemic. We were losing people left, right and centre. Staffing was critical. We went into fighting this pandemic with one hand behind our backs. But if nothing else the pandemic had shown who the key workers of this country really are.

Yet the Government has continued to treat those who put their lives on the line to save others with callous disregard. NHS staff feel abandoned even as all the trauma they went through is only just catching up with them.

So please, continue to show a bit love for NHS staff. They need your support now more than ever, and to know they haven’t been forgotten as they try to heal. Follow those speaking up for NHS staff such as @TheDA_UK and @NHSMillion. Now is the time to get more vocal, not less 🌈

To those asking what will help:

✅ hot food for staff overnight
✅ access to tea and coffee
✅ adequate staff rooms
✅ on call rooms/place to sleep
✅ free parking

It’s not rocket science. A lack of these make a hard job even harder. Small things do wonders for morale.

So as the second wave abates please don’t forget about NHS staff.

Amplify the voice of those speaking up, support campaigns for change to ensure we don’t lose dedicated NHS staff.

We are still here for you, we hope you are here for us 💙

/ends