Paramedic’s plea to Rishi Sunak: Give all NHS staff a pay rise – Rachel White

It’s your job as a paramedic to keep this person alive until you can get them to a hospital. You know that every second that passes could mean the difference between life and death. You want to rush in and get to work.

But, in the last few months, things have changed. Before you can help, you now have to spend crucial minutes putting on personal protective equipment.

As a paramedic, PPE can be intense. When we pick up any patient, we have to wear an apron, a face mask and gloves.

But if we have a patient who could potentially be Covid positive, we have to put on what we call level three PPE – a full coverall suit and a hood that has air pumped into it.

I completely support the need for PPE during this crisis.

It is absolutely crucial for protecting both NHS worker,s like myself, and our patients – and our ambulance service has been incredible at making sure we have the equipment we need.

However, the strain of knowing that someone’s life is in your hands, but you’re not able to deliver care at the speed you would like – and normally would – can take a serious emotional toll.

But that’s not the end of it.

Now imagine helping this patient into the ambulance, but not being able to let their loved ones ride with them because the coronavirus crisis makes it just too dangerous.

I remember helping a woman who had taken a fall and needed to go to hospital.

Her husband was worried that this was the last time he was ever going to see his wife.

He was in tears. She was in tears. I was in tears.

Some people go the other way – they shout.

I’ve had a family member scream in my face about not being able to ride with their loved one.

They later apologised and said they understood the reasons.

I get it – it’s tough for everyone right now.

I can’t do my job without my colleagues doing theirs.

The NHS is so much more than what patients see – and every single person does their bit.

That’s why the Government’s announcement that doctors and dentists will get a pay rise – but other NHS staff won’t – just doesn’t sit right.

The last four months have been so challenging for everyone.

Everything has changed at such short notice.

But as tough as it has been, my colleagues in the hospital – nurses, healthcare assistants, consultants – have been amazing.

I simply can’t do my job – and save lives – without them doing theirs.

And I want to take this opportunity to stand up for them.

And the vehicle technicians, the equipment store workers, my 
colleagues responsible for patient transport.

The cleaners who make sure we have a safe environment.

They didn’t ask to be put in such a dangerous situation. But they are now.

A patient’s chain of survival is only as a strong as the weakest link.

So it’s crucial to make sure every 
level and every role in the NHS – including cleaners and other lower 
paid staff – are appreciated and rewarded.

That means they all need a proper pay rise to show them what an important job they do – and just how much we all appreciate it.

Rishi Sunak, as my MP, I’m asking you to commit to giving all NHS staff a decent pay rise. Will you do it?

Rachel White is a paramedic in Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Richmond constituency.

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