Should NHS staff go ahead in queues?

[JustOneLastThing]

I have only done it once, and got some evil looks from the others queuing. It was my only day off and was knackered and needed some essentials so thought 'just this once'-might not do it again!
It sort of felt like all the clapping in the world and rainbows doesn't mean much in the real world, but I might be a bit more careful about waving my lanyard around in the future (and yes, i'm frontline ward NHS staff working on covid wards fwiw).
Any thoughts from others very welcome.

I only go straight in in NHS shopping hour which means getting up really early. If I go any other time of day I queue like everyone else.

The lack of humanity and compassion on this thread is shocking. So what if there are a few freeloaders, so what? Does it hurt you or harm you in any way other than to make you feel a little indignant?
No wonder this country is in the state it is...
I would recommend any NHS worker to make use of any benefit, perk or concession they get now as their contribution will soon be brushed under the carpet with a sweep of “but we clapped you and let you jump the queue!”

I let a paramedic go to the front yesterday.......he'd rocked up in his ambulance and was obviously grabbing his lunch.........where I live paramedics / police etc have always been sent straight to the front so it's not unusual.

I don't have an issue with NHS staff going to the front, I've not minded queuing at all tbh (( well I did yesterday when a sudden onset of thunderguts came on )) I do wish unpaid carers were offered the same advantages tho. They have barely been acknowledged in any of this and many of struggling far more than someone who turns up for their shift then goes home. Unpaid carers are working 24/7 often living on very limited funds. Many can't even get a shopping slot as they may not be on the vulnerable list so are having to take out and queue with the person they care for and deal with their distress at the situation.

It's a confusing time for everyone at the mo.

I don't think so, I work for the NHS, I am still working everyday, but I do not see myself better than anyone else and I wait in the que like everyone else. My colleagues all think the same aswell. I would be a bit embarrassed to wave my badge around and flaunt to the front of the que like the queen, like I've seen many people do.

Daffodil101

I’m both. I’m NHS, clapped with my kids, but don’t think we should be able to walk into shops”

Genuinely interestEd in knowing why? Even in such examples as on here, paramedics grabbing lunch, etc?

In normal circumstances, I’d say please go ahead of me. They’re much busier than I am!

For the reasons given, ie, that there are lots and lots of NHS staff and some of us aren’t front line. I think it’s so cheeky to expect special treatment on my day off.

In your case yes. I think some people are probably taking advantage though. However, as I'm out of work (self-employed) in in no rush to get anywhere I'm really not bothered and quite happy for all NHS to go in front of me.

Queues are much slower at the moment. I haven't jumped any queues yet but I suppose a compromise might be that those at home in lockdown use off peak times between about ten and three/four?? That way there is respect for those unable to shop due to key work and fairness.

I shop after work as I live a distance from the shops so I try to avoid extra travel to adhere to the rules. ( 30 mins drive )

Yes, you should. The shops decided on this, you are not breaking any rules. If anyone has a problem then they need to take their complaints to the ceo of shops as they decide the rules (or whoever came up with this rule).

No.

1.5 million people work for the NHS.
Apparently there are 7 million key workers.

Yes those complaining who can shop in the daytime are not being fair. But it's a privilege that should be used with fairness and good judgement from the individual eg
After work exhaustion - probably
Day off- no need

Frontline yes

The rest of us no (some of us having also been dealing with patients that have covid directly but nowhere near the same level intensity at work)

I did use the nhs hours at first but no longer do and appreciate my let’s eat discount

I would assume if someone did go to the front of the queue that they were a frontline worker and wouldn’t be in there slightest bit bothered (no all have partners who can get their shopping)

1.4 million people work for the NHS and the vast majority aren't anywhere near covid patients or indeed any patients right now. Obviously you the op feel you need to not queue but I don't see how it's the case for everyone in that organisation.

I'm admin on A&E reception. Normal working week is fine and I stand in the queue, when we're doing over time 12 hour shifts six days a week, different shift patterns you are exhausted and really don't want to spend the one day off stood in queues so I have used it on these occasions. Usually when I've finished an over night 7-7, need some food and just want to get home for some breakfast and bed!

There are quite a few remarks on here about NHS staff getting special treatment or benefits (discounts)

There really are some petty people about.

I’ve even been told I’ve been so lucky to still go to work as I don’t have to do homeschooling. Erm yes I do at home after a full day at work because school provides supervision they are not in lessons

And please be my guest if you would prefer to swap places and go into work without the adequate PPE and deal with highly anxious patients and staff (PPE now thankfully isn’t an issue) all so you can get a few hours a week to go shopping and selected times and a few benefits

no, there may be other people in the queue who are just as deserving eg care home staff coming off a long night shift, carer, someone with hidden disabilities, diabetic feeling they're about to go hypo.

NHS arnt the only people working long hours. Many people are. NHS arnt the only ones working night-shift either.
Loads of people have one day off and their time with their children is just as precious.
The store I work in has always let police and paramedics in at night when the shop is closed because we have a night shift in anyway so it's no bother to let them in.
Some people have all day to shop so of course they don't mind queue jumpers.
Others are tired working long hours and shopping for vulnerable family members and have to queue

and who apart from care workers (hours are given by many supermarkets for them too but yes they have been overlooked hugely) are going into work looking after and caring from those with covid (so at a risk)

Working in a warehouse is not comparable

Don’t worry it shall all be taken away for nhs workers soon especially with the growing complaints and whining from those who feel hard done by by a few hours of shopping or the odd person jumping a queue

Supermarkets priority is profit made by keeping their customers returning and happy the growing resentment will soon no doubt be loud enough to keep moaning minnies happy

No statistics prove that you're no more likely to die from Covid working for the NHS than any other profession. More London bus drivers have died than NHS workers if you take into account how many people the NHS employ.

Seriously you are putting that argument forward

Yes I am putting that argument forward. Statistics don't back up that the NHS workers are in any more risk than other key workers dealing with the public.

Honestly, at the end of all this the country will go back to moaning that nhs employees are overpaid, the system costs to much, its massively inefficient, "yes please sell more to Richard Branson" etc etc, so take the perks while you can.

And from a selfish point of view, I'd rather not be standing 2m from a frontline worker for an hour in a queue who's at a much higher risk of being infected than joe public.