Carol

The big conversation

on our nhs

Last month, Just Treatment launched our “Big conversations” campaign where we began speaking to someone in every constituency in the UK about their experience of Coronavirus and the NHS. These conversations will directly feed into the creation of a New Deal for the NHS. This is a people powered campaign and collectively, we can ensure we learn the lessons from Coronavirus, and work together to build a better, stronger future for the NHS and for patients. 

What has your experience of coronavirus been?

Working as a nurse through COVID19 has been emotional, physically, and mentally exhaustive. I am tired, and drained.

The quality of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) in the early days was extremely poor. When there was no PPE, l was witnessing nurses dying on the news which made it so real for me. No longer could it be said that only those who were 70+ or with underlying causes were dying, but young and previously fit BAME people were dying too. I also contracted the virus at this time.

When I returned to work I completed the NHS risk assessment and was stopped from providing patient care because I was deemed to be high risk. I have since decided that it is time to go after 40 years as a nurse.

What long term changes for the NHS do you believe are required?

Stop fragmenting cleaning services - keeping hospitals clean is a vital factor in fighting infections and viruses such superbugs and COVID19. We need all cleaning staff to be permanent staff - there should be no zero hour contracts for key workers. This would provide them with job security that will make them happy, and happy workers work better.

Black mothers, who often end up in these sorts of lower paid and unstable jobs, would be able to spend more time with their kids because they earn enough and are not having to work back to back with multiple jobs. This would have wider benefits to society - with more parental guidance, their children are more likely to do better both in school and out.

The NHS must defund institutional, structural, and systematic racism.

Why do you think building a New Deal for the NHS is so important?

Back to the basic values of the NHS to treat everyone equally. #BLM.

The NHS was never meant to choose who they treat by the colour of their skin. I want it to be the envy of the world again. The health of the nation - our healthier nation.

There have been so many reviews and so many reports. Recommendations should be followed through – inequalities in health when it comes to BAME people need to be addressed as this would provide equity to all.