"I am on the waiting lists for surgery but will support you all. Your actions are long overdue."
Those are the words of Edward Perry from Wallasey who, despite facing potential further disruption to his own care as nurses walk out on strike, is unfaltering in his support of their cause.
He's not the only one. Andrew Walker, also from Wallasey knows personally how important the NHS is. He said: "I owe a great debt to the NHS for its staff's continuing kindness, help and support over many years. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”
More than 66,000 members of the public have added their names to a heartfelt message of support to NHS staff as they walk out on strike. Today's second round of action by the Royal College of Nursing will be followed tomorrow by a walk-out of paramedics and ambulance workers.
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The open letter has been launched by the 38 Degrees campaign group, with more than 3,500 adding their own personal message for those heading out on strike.
While those walking out are doing so with a heavy heart, they feel they have no choice as conditions have become so desperate in the National Health Service. And judging by the comments of support being posted, the people of Merseyside know who is to blame.
Terence Roberts from West Wirral said: "We need you, but we don’t need a Government who have underfunded our public services for 12 years. Yes, I might suffer because of your industrial action, but I blame the Government, not you.”
Jacqui Merryweather from Wallasey: “I wholeheartedly support striking workers in the NHS, I think it is shameful that you have been put in this position. I support you because the NHS has always supported me in my time of need, I have always been treated with dignity and respect and I am truly grateful. It is the least I can do to tell you that I support you in your time of need, your fight is our fight and you are not alone."
Graham Sims, from St Helens, is grateful to NHS staff who helped him when he had a life-threatening illness.
In a powerful message he said: ”I'm sending you all my heartfelt support for the work you do, the hours you put in and something harder to characterise but I would summarise it as the very best of human qualities.
"When I was blue-lighted into A and E & from there to a cardiac ward I was aware that obstacles had to be overcome, entirely beyond your control, but these were made bearable and indeed I was made comfortable with speedily and professionally given medication in an almost family atmosphere of great warmth and personal attention.
“I am so proud of all nurses, clinicians, doctors and auxiliary staff who tended to me and dropped in for a chat and to monitor me with great grace and good humour. I had suffered post-covid pneumonia which had ravaged my breathing, causing me great distress and leading to a heart attack. I never expected to get over it yet it's only down to the good offices and skills of various teams of health workers that I survived.
“I applaud them to the rafters but they need and deserve more than applause, they need a significant increase in pay and quality of conditions to continue to do their jobs.”
Veronica Hawking, Head of Campaigns at 38 Degrees, said: “We know that our dedicated NHS workers don’t want to strike - but working in a service in crisis, they have little choice.
“After years of government underfunding, A&E waiting times have soared, cancer treatment waiting times have doubled and seven million of us are on waiting lists. Meanwhile, undervalued, underpaid NHS staff are leaving in droves, or turning to foodbanks to feed themselves and their families.
“While our Government tries to demonise NHS workers for this decision, and pit patients against them, we hope our letter will show how many of us are standing side-by-side with them. Patients and the public are demanding better care from our NHS and better care for our NHS staff. We clapped for them during the pandemic, and now we’ve got their backs as they fight for the pay and conditions they deserve.”
The letter, addressed to all striking NHS staff, reads:
“We value the incredible sacrifices you make, day-in-day-out, looking after all of us. And we believe that this deserves a fair pay.
"Our NHS is in crisis, because of political choices by a government betraying those of us who rely on the NHS, who are failing to fund the service and adequately support the people who deliver the care we rely on. We, the patients and public are demanding better care from our NHS and better care for our NHS staff.
"While government ministers line up to criticise your decision to go on strike, we understand your decision - and we’ve got your backs!
"Thank you for all that you do.
Signed,
The British public”
The full text of the open letter and the latest signature numbers can be found at
https://act.38degrees.org.uk/act/ps-nhs-strikes-letter-1222
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