NHS workers getting to the front of the queue

[Whatevah]

Queuing for B&Q yesterday, about a 30 min queue. Lovely weather so nice to be out in the sun.
As I was at the front of the queue someone came up, asked if NHS could go straight in, guy said yes, and in they went.
I think it’s bloomin’ cheeky to go to the front of a queue just because you work for the NHS. There, I’ve said it. I’d never do it and think people who do are taking the p. There are plenty of discounts, offers, special hours and general public adoration being directed at the NHS. And it is deserved. But I think it takes a certain person to saunter to the front of the queue, and think it’s highly unfair on others. Especially as so many are working still, and don’t get this ‘perk’.
It really annoyed me.

Frontline or not I work in an NHS hospital full of COVID positive patients so putting myself and vulnerable family at risk every day by going into that environment to help patients. Would love to hide myself and family away at home but can't. Don't begrudge NHS small perks. (I don't use my badge to queue jump though but def think nursing staff should if needed)

I've used my NHS badge to jump to the front of the waitrose queue a few times whens it's been heaving.
And I'm not sorry.
I've worked for the NHS for nearly 20 years, missing Christmases and my children's birthdays. I've put up with being put on placements 90 mins commute away when going back to work and breastfeeding a 6 week baby. I've been spat on and called all sorts by drunks in a and e.
Over recent weeks I've worked extra to cover sick colleagues and spent hours trying to source my own ppe.
And for the first fricking time there has actually been a benefit in working as a doctor. So yes I flipping took it. I'm aware that the British public being who they are that this good feeling towards NHS staff will not last long ( and judging by this thread has already gone) so I'm going to milk it as much as I can.

I def think care home staff should have exactly the same perks. They are at the same/higher risk than NHS

I am nhs front line. I have used the supermarket slots but wouldn’t do that. I just couldn’t be cheeky enough.
At the end of the day I am getting up close an personal with patients on a daily basis as in my job (sonographer) you can’t keep a distance. I do this with no PPE protection. Just a surgical mask, gloves and flimsy pinny. I see between 10 and 20 patients a day.
I am probably more of a risk to infect others which is why I like the NHS slots. Can be in and out quickly and avoid contact with too many people, just other nhs staff.

@Thedot90 It's not being negative and i'm not upset by it and I can think outside the box thanks. My point is, many people in the NHS are well paid (I would be if able to work f/t), many don't need these 'perks' and far more are not on the frontline than are but all are entitled to these discounts purely by virtue of an NHS.net email.

Of course I know it's a marketing strategy for many companies.

My point is, other lower paid but equally essential workers are not being given 'perks' in this way.

Do I think it's wrong my friend took home 4k this month but is being donated food just because they work in a hospital (which is not busy or overwhelmed right now)? Yes. I don't begrudge the salary but I feel deeply uncomfortable about the 'freebies' since many people are struggling financially now, many vulnerable people unable to access the food deliveries they need and many low paid essential workers or recently unemployed people (due to COVID) needing mobile 'phone data.

And I would think exactly the same if I was still working on wards.

Don't begrudge NHS small perks

I don’t begrudge the NHS these perks at all. I do think there are non NHS workers out there- care home staff, police, hospice staff, bus drivers, that deserve these perks as much, if not more in some cases.

The NHS are being lauded to such a point we’re missing others who are struggling.

I’m nhs staff and have been working frontline. There’s no way I’d jump the queue.
I’m buying everything I need for work when I do my normal shopping I’m aware nipping before a shift won’t work at the moment so I’m planning ahead.
I went to the nhs hour at Tesco once weeks ago when loads of stuff was sold out because my 80 year nana had no loo roll and had been using a towel so I decided I’d try the nhs hour to get her essentials.
Other than that I’ve been going on my days off in normal opening times 🤷🏼‍♀️
I don’t get it!

I would like to think that nobody has an issue with frontline medical staff taking advantage of this - they absolutely should. I think the issue people have is with non frontline office staff who are working from home using their staff cards to get to the front of queue etc. I know people who do this.
On another note, I think clinical university staff are being overlooked. Many of them are employed by universities but work in hospital settings for the nhs - much respect to them.

I agree with black tuesday.
Home carers are closer to the frount line to many nhs workers.

I did actually say care workers should benefit too.anyone who is working in an environment where there are many confirmed cases of the virus. Hospitals don't allow visitors at the moment as it is deemed unsafe for them yet staff still have to be there. Some HCAs are a band 2....google that salary and then decide if you envy their perks!

Not all NHS are frontline. I know someone who is n admin sending letters / yes - letters /the NHS is still stuck in 1980 when the rest of the world has moved on.
She plays the NHS card relentlessly.
Most people who work for the MHS are not doing 20 he shifts in Corona wards even if nurses vis the recent clip of them dancing on duty in an empty ward.

I'm nhs and this is the reason I don't go to the front of the queue flashing my badge.... not worth the hassle.

Totally agree

I am a kid light card holder but not nhs

I’ve never used it for easy access etc

Not only because it’s cheeky but because I like to avoid nhs staff as much as I can because let’s face it if you are going to catch the virus there’s more chance of catching it off nhs staff

Kid = blue light card

For those who don't 'get' it, a word of advice....never ever EVER go to the USA for holidays - the military regularly get shunted to the front of a queue, because we're, like,grateful to them?

@katinski I think the Americans have got that absolutely right.

Completely agree with military

They above everyone should

I haven't really seen many nhs use their cards to skip queues but it doesn't bother me. They didn't ask for the perk it was given to them so if they want to use it then finr.
I do think care workers and other emergency services should get the same though

Also just because some hospitals are quiet. Some are not and still heavy with covid patients. Some staff are quieter than normal but please do not forget normally we have many shifts where have little or no breaks or much food on a long day. Work extra hours for no time back etc.Trust status on black with no beds anywhere. Ambulances queuing for hours. This last winter was the worst I have worked in 15 years.

NHS staff although grateful for everything would much happier with better working conditions, safer staffing rather than all the freebies and queue jumping I'm sure. And I do agree other people also are valid of receiving things too.

I’m an NHS worker, currently frontline due to volunteering to work in ITU. So far, no I haven’t used my ID to get to the front of any queue, but if I was post 4 nights then yes, I could see myself doing that. My DH is also a key worker and we have children, so if it meant they would be fed and me get to sleep before going to work then yes. Stop the NHS bashing on here. It is horrible going to work at the moment. Just think about the fact that you are able to moan about this minor issue when so many can’t.

Also, I would love to know what kind of frontline nurse takes home 4K a month. I wish!!

@thedot90 I've also worked hard for decades to earn the salary I do (pro rata) but I am financially fucked at the moment due to COVID as now cannot increase my hours, which was a planned return to my career after PTSD caused by incidents at work.

Not being frontline any more doesn't mean i'm not also exhausted by the current situation, it's dramatically effected the people I work with who can't get the care they need currently and are suffering day in day out.

I still don't need to be gifted free food or easter eggs as many, many people are in a worse situation than me.

I'm sorry you find it so offensive that I think it's not okay that many well paid people are having food donations or other 'freebies', often going to waste, purely because they work for the NHS (regardless of their job) when other essential workers get nothing.

I find the deification of the NHS strange and not reflective of the reality for many workers.

I only included this detail about me personally as there was no need to tell me to piss off or assume I wasn't also effected by this situation, financially and emotionally.

I hope you have a nice evening and hopefully, we'll all come out of this the other side.

I'm 'frontline' NHS but not Covid-specific. I actively hide my badge and would never use the current benefits provided. They're for those who are at the real sharp-end and I can't include myself in that category (my patients are not all Covid+ but I am doing direct clinical nursing).

For those that are in ITU etc... crack on and have everything thrown at you. These are unprecedented times and you are working in incredible environments.

Unfortunately I am embarrassed by some of the reports of these privileges being abused. People were quick to offer it to the whole of the NHS, not realising how big an employer it is.

Also, sorry I’m ranting a bit. Have you ever tried working a shift wearing full PPE, not being able to drink apart from your 2 x 30 mins breaks. Sweating constantly, only able to breath through your mouth, sores where the mask is constantly rubbing, spending extra time showering after your shift then getting home and showering again just when you get home, before you feel clean enough to cuddle your children. Queue jumping is little if no pay off. My DH is ex military and never had to come into close contact for so long with a killer virus. They have PPE whenever they need it. They aren’t petrified when they are told... by the way we now have to reuse this single use gown. Every day policy changes. Every day, we get told something new. Everyday we look after people dying, or if we are lucky not.