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.

So what about police officers, fire fighters, teachers in school caring for the kids of key workers, social workers, bus drivers, truck drivers, bin men, IT engineers,... the list goes on and on. All doing things to keep the fabric of society intact, all key workers in their own right

Exactly. Why do NHS workers get singled out every time? So many other people are worthy of it too but they are ignored because - nurses.

I'm entirely on board with the previous rules e.g that paramedics should jump a queue because they never know when they are going to get another break. But if an NHS worker is off shift, they have just the same amount of time as a whole bunch of other people.

A friend with her autistic child was told she just had to wait in the 30 minute queue like everyone else, despite having paperwork to say her son was autistic. No way should an NHS worker take priority over her.

Apart from NHS/care workers no other workers are dealing with looking after and caring for those with covid (as part of their work)

It is far more likely an NHS/care worker contracted covid at work if they are coming into contact with covid patients you are at a higher risk

Someone working for TFL we don’t know where they contracted covid. Any work with the public puts you at more of a risk

If they are on their way to work or just finished then yes. If they are off then nope!

I know you're working very hard, and honestly hats off to you for that. But we all are, doesn't matter where but we are all tired and people are homeschooling while working from home and it's just as relentless for others as for you

If you are a key worker in certain jobs, you might be entitled to a Blue Light discount card. I’m not an NHS worker and have one of the cards. 50% off Hotel Chocolat and Hobbs at the moment!

Oh no you feeling hard done by Makeuptherules that you are not getting a few hours shopping and the odd discount

Poor you here are some flowers 💐

In the tesco queue a couple of weeks ago and a lady came to the front and flashed her badge, said she was a paramedic and they let her straight in (not in uniform so I dont think mid shift) I didn't see a problem with this.

Last week though, I was in the queue for the tesco Express, theres a dentist surgery next door which is shut and not seeing patients whatsoever.
The dental nurse (I know her as I'm a patient there) comes out, goes to the front and said can I go in as I work for the nhs, I couldn't believe the cheek of it. What made her think she could queue jump? Luckily the staff member felt the same and said unfortunately I can't let you in you'd have to queue. She said fine and stomped off to her car. I was so glad he refused her.

Absolutely

I work in the NHS and go to the frontline frequently throughout the day. Queue jumping really is not any special perk. Not as if we are getting our shopping for free.

I can't be doing with this "I'm a nurse and I don't wave my badge about to get in first" shit. Good for you for being a Martyr but when I've been in and out of full PPE 3 or 4 times, showered in between too and done a normal days work in top of the extra that the pandemic is creating all I want is to get in and out of a shop and go home.

@Bloomburger are you counting all nhs staff in your statement, ie ones that work from home etc?

The point of nhs getting to the front of the queue has nothing at all to do with them working with covid patients. It's because of the long shifts and not having much time in a working day. I know this because I work retail.
Saying oh but I'm working on a covid ward as an excuse to queue jump on a day off doesn't justify it. NHS have the same time as anyone else on their day off.
Before after or during a shift whether they are front line or not is fine. It is a privalage given due to the shifts they are doing

I wouldn’t jump the queue on my day off. Maybe on my way to or from a shift, but not on a day off, you don’t know the circumstances of everybody else in the queue.

I'm entirely on board with the previous rules e.g that paramedics should jump a queue because they never know when they are going to get another break

A lot of emergency service workers, police, paramedics, social workers, mental health, care staff etc are struggling at the minute on shift.

When you’re going from job to job you’d normally grab something to eat, coffee or whatever from greggs, macd’s, chip shop - but none of these are open.

Few police stations have canteens now even if you do get chance to have a proper break.

No time to queue for a supermarket, so if you forget your packed lunch tough.

Nhs hospitals have canteens, yet local restaurants and pubs are all taking cooked meals to hospitals. They’d be better doing a drive through so those with no access to food can pick up...But the social media kudos and fundraising is all about the NHS.

No- if you’re doing it for them, you should do it for all workers on the frontline doing long shifts.

Oh there really is some sour grapes on here.
NHS / hospital food - hospital shops are closed, canteen open v short periods only at lunchtime teatime and you haven't got time to go while on an on call shift anyway.

Some shifts are manageable- others literally require full on running and attending to multiple simultaneous emergencies in PPE . It's hotter than usual and even more tiring than usual. Usually no food or drink is consumed due to lack of time. Imagine having three or four medical emergencies ongoing at anyone time which you are dealing with, while further referrals are waiting to be taken, further unwell patients waiting to be reviewed, changing several times in and out of PPE over the night.
Yes, no food and drink , working 23 hours and only in the morning being able to get food before being allowed to sleep.
That is why local businesses have been dropping takeaways to the busiest areas- life is very very tough on those areas.

Why not volunteer, see for yourself and stop moaning fir five minutes.

13 hrs

I don't mind FRONTLINE staff jumping the queue but I don't think all NHS staff need this perk. Surely NHS admin staff are just doing the same as they ever did. And don't even get me started on the weekly clap!

A lot of emergency service workers, police, paramedics, social workers, mental health, care staff etc are struggling at the minute on shift

Yes for many of us the stress levels are higher and many are dealing with people with covid

Are the stress levels the same as those on wards where they are only dealing with covid patients or those in icu - absolutely not and neither is the risk as high

Really them getting a cooked meal that is free is an issue for some

Ffs it’s pathetic

I don't think most NHS staff are the sort of people to take advantage - more likely the reverse as they are in a service and vocational profession.

Agree it's pathetic to see such moaning minnies. Really is. Just trust us we won't take advantage.

And do you want a fed and watered doctor or a fainting ill one ? Reality.

bigknickersbigknockers are you are of all the changes that have taken place this took a huge amount of effort from management and admin to make things run as smoothly as possible for medical staff

Some admin are still on wards

Or actually a closed hospital as too many acute or senior trained doctors are off sick - covid, exhaustion, self isolation.

I don't think most NHS staff are the sort of people to take advantage - more likely the reverse as they are in a service and vocational profession.

WTF has that got to do with their character? They aren't all saints. They have the same range of personalities as the rest of the human race. This deification of the NHS and its staff doesn't help anyone.

Of course if has everything to do with character- clinical staff are carefully vetted and checked for their background and for their suitability.

Or actually a closed hospital as too many acute or senior trained doctors are off sick - covid, exhaustion, self isolation.

The staff are going to starve and hospitals are going to close if they can't go to the front of the queue? I've read some BS on here since this whole affair started