The NHS has enjoyed unrivalled focus over the last year. It is not uncontroversial to say too much, given the heavier lifting performed by the governing cabinet. Ever since Prime Minister Boris Johnson attended a COBR meeting about the pandemic the health service has been showered in praise. It’s well past time the state funded employees showed their gratitude.
It’s hard to think of a Prime Minister who has devoted more time and energy into raising the profile of nurses. He even went so far as to contract the potentially fatal virus. How should the staff who enjoyed the privilege of saving his life show their appreciation?
It is easy to think of numerous ways they could do this. Firstly they could clap for Boris Johnson, Thursdays 8pm, from their doorsteps. If they are working Thursday evenings it is not too much to ask that they step outside of the Accident and Emergency entrance for a few minutes. Make a noise the nation can hear.
They may also like to think about doing more to utilise the PPE the government has generously arranged for them. It is difficult to conceive of a non-Tory government going the extra mile to Miami to source equipment, a hotel room in Hong Kong or a specialist supplier in Turkey. The hundreds of millions spent on these contracts alone should not be in vain.
But there is perhaps one more way the much lauded staff of the National Health Service can show their thanks…
It is not easy to forget the generous pay rise the nurses recently enjoyed. 1%. This at a time when so many sectors are suffering due to the intransigence of Brussels. In this climate it was nurses that received not only a badge but money.
Is it too much to ask that the nurses now pass around the hat and assist the Prime Minister in his hour of need?
Obviously, given their salaries and the cost of refurbishing No. 11 there will still be some shortfall to be made up. The vast sums required to refit the flat as an early modern harem will not be met by nurses choosing to hand over their pay rise alone. Surely they will need to sell whatever assets they possess.
Just think of the national acclaim? Not only would the great and noble people of Britain rise up once more to clap for them, there will also be shouts of “Huzzah!” too. Nurses, your prime minister needs you, you know what to do.
