‘Right-wing short-term reminiscence of our NHS medics’ heroics is solely Breathtaking’

Every so usually you watch a TV drama that makes your chest tighten, your eyes water and your head rage.

Cathy Come Home, The Murder of Stephen Lawrence and Hillsborough are three standouts from the previous 60 years. ITV has simply given us two in as many months.

Mr Bates vs The Post Office enlightened the nation concerning the appalling criminalisation of respectable individuals by means of company backside-covering. And this week’s Breathtaking took us again to the unremitting horrors that NHS workers labored by means of throughout Covid, as they have been requested to carry out miracles in situations akin to a warzone. Minus correct armour.

Based on a e book by palliative care physician Rachel Clarke, this harrowing three-parter confirmed us how she and her colleagues suffered concern, guilt, inadequacy, panic, isolation, fatigue and anger as they have been anticipated to be life-savers and bereavement counsellors regardless of overwhelming odds and dishonest management.

They have been ripping up bin luggage for PPE whereas the federal government was handing out multi-million-pound contracts to their mates for dud inventory. They have been signing every others’ wills earlier than shifts like wartime RAF pilots earlier than bombing missions and have been frightened of sleep for concern of their demons flooding out.

Consequently, as we discovered on the drama’s finish, 414 ­healthcare staff died of Covid within the final 9 months of 2020 and 60,000 NHS workers suffered from PTSD throughout 2021. Thousands of them are unable to work full-time right this moment because of the psychological and bodily price Covid took on them.

Their story is considered one of braveness, dedication and love however additionally it is considered one of betrayal, because the Government lied concerning the seriousness of the pandemic and tossed out gimmicks like Eat Out to Help Out which they knew would rack up the casualties the NHS medics needed to take care of.

Many of these away from the entrance line got here away bruised however nicely compensated. Some NHS belief bosses noticed their pay soar previous £300k, politicians like Boris Johnson made hundreds of thousands out of their time within the highlight, and prime advisers like Chris Whitty and Jonathan Van-Tam have been knighted.

AstraZeneca’s boss Pascal Soriot additionally bagged a knighthood for work on the vaccine, and in 2022 turned the highest-paid FTSE-100 boss with a pay deal price £15.3million. His package deal this yr is £16.9m.

But what have been Dr Rachel Clarke’s colleagues given outdoors of a weekly clap? Like most cannon-fodder after wars, simply the chilly shoulder.

It’s why junior docs reluctantly start one other strike throughout England right this moment demanding recognition for the very important job that they do. Their pay has taken an actual phrases reduce of 26% since 2010 they usually wish to see most of that restored however the Tories will solely provide them 8.8%.

Unsurprisingly, the right-wing media now refers to them not as heroic life-savers however heartless Marxists. What quick reminiscences they select to have.

I can’t consider any professionals extra deserving of their pay maintaining tempo with inflation than these overworked and underpaid life-savers.

I can consider few issues extra short-sighted than telling them their expertise and dedication is unworthy of our gratitude.

We patronised them throughout Covid with our weekly claps, let’s not do it once more by saying this drama has made us realise they’re the best amongst us then do nothing to respect that view.

Give these docs what they’re price or watch them desert of their droves for international locations that present them correct respect of their pay packets.