AIBU to ask how we can support our NHS workers in this difficult time?

[HelpFlattenTheCurve]

Bit of a rhetorical question, I admit. Posting here for traffic. I am sure it will get moved to Coronavirus thread at some point.

A huge and increasing amount of stress is and will be placed on doctors, nurses, care assistants, caterers, cleaners, and everybody else who works in NHS facilities at the moment. All of their leave has been cancelled, so more than a million people in UK will be missing family holidays, weddings, and so on, and many of them will to find someone else to care for children, older relatives, etc.

MumsnetHQ: OP has asked us to strike out the above passage because they were mistaken, and have no information to suggest that annual leave will be cancelled for NHS workers.

Those who have contact with possible or confirmed COVID-19 patients will face an especially sharp increase in the danger and discomfort of their work, and they will probably be asked to work longer hours. Many of them will see people die. NHS workers and their close family members may face an increased risk of premature illness and death compared to other people of similar age and health. This challenge will probably continue for many months.

One of the ways this community can help to #FlattenTheCurve is to support those individuals and their families who will be putting themselves in harm's way in order to treat and try to save the sickest among us. The more we can support them, the more they will be able to support our wider community. Plus, at a time like this they deserve our support - I think they are all heroes for even turning up at work.

Would any Mumsnet posters with direct knowledge of this please help us to identify charities and other organisations that can effectively, efficiently and rapidly channel offers of financial and other support to the NHS workers and their families who are most affected by this?

[Edited by MNHQ at OP's request]

The best way we can support NHS workers is to support them to gain a decent rate of pay and bearable working conditions.

Anything else is just a plaster over the problem.

Yes. Next election vote in the party that isn’t afraid to tax us enough to create the best NHS possible rather than run it into the ground. If we weren’t 1000s of nurses down now and had more ICU beds things would be looking a lot better right now. For several years we have been asked to do more and more with less and less. With an ageing population, obesity epidemic and people not being taken care of (eg zero hours and no sick pay) we are looking at more tough times ahead.

It's a small thing but if you can afford it (and I absolutely appreciate that jot everyone can) them order a few pizzas to be sent to your local A&E, or drop in some cakes. We've had grateful patients do this before and it's always so so appreciated, especially on shifts out of hours where the canteen is shut and you can work 12 hours with only a slice of toast grabbed between patients.

Amazing post. Thank you OP x

Getting on this thread for ideas.

Childcare. Childcare. Childcare. I'm stuffed if the schools close as I have no family to help

Just be a decent human being. Treat people who say no to you with respect. They have to say no sometimes. It is not their fault

Don't keep buying face masks if you don't need them! Respiratory nurse here and can't get hold of face-masks! What a ridiculous situation to be in... wouldn't you rather I wore them?!

Don’t lie to us about your symptoms because you want a home visit rather than a fast track trip to a&e. You are putting us and other patients at risk

Someone provide lunches, so I don't need to work to exhausted state and then go home to make pack lunch, offer child care, tea etc. Be kind, don't shout we are human, accept when we say NO. We are often being directed by those above. Most of all follow the rules, wash your bloody dirty hands and do as government say

And remember not just a and e. Your district nurses are keeping end of life patients at home comfortable and administering insulin, meds etc. Not just a and e feeling this....

Keep schools open

Look beyond today.

Look at how nhs workers care about their patients and will do what they can for service continuity.

Look that in an over stretched team, they need understanding right now.

There is no template for this.

It's unprecedented so nhs workers are also frightened and don't have the answers.

Stop trying to shut down schools

Don't nick the hand gel or any masks and gloves that you take a fancy to on the ward. We need them more than you do.
Don't bring your DCs in to visit old granny on the ward and let them run around in and out of all the bays. In fact, keeping visitors to a minimum would probably be sensible as you may be a carrier and not know it.
Don't go and visit granny in the nursing home if you've just come back from Italy or been with a known contact.
Remember this at election time.

I work in the NHS and actually my heroes are the water treatment/ sewage workers.
Without them we are all fooked.

Everything that @bobbypinseverywhere said. We are struggling too & worried about childcare & our families. You imagine how stressed out you are about the CV & times it by 100. Giving us abuse & abusing the services at this time is about as low as you can go.

I am staying home, and hopefully do my best to help flatten the curve, now or later.
But would sending pizzas or treats be accepted in hospitals via Deliveroo? Could it pose a risk to you guys or the delivery man? If not, I know I would like to send a little token of appreciation.

Our Neonatal unit have stopped visitors only parents allowed in. Our maternity unit should do the same not every family member, friend and neighbour trooping in to visit someone who is going home the next day.
Please don't be abusive when we ask for only 2 visitors to a bed and only patients children to visit. It's to protect the babies and mothers it's not us just being difficult.

I’m frontline NHS, annual leave hasn't been cancelled in my trust. Do you have a reference/link for that please.

It's not just NHS workers who'll be under pressure. Emergency services will all be under pressure and turning up for work regardless of restrictions or lockdown. They all deserve support not just NHS workers

Honestly? Just stay home as much as possible to limit the spread and keep washing your hands. If you feel unwell with a cough or fever then self isolate for the full week as the government has advised, and don't nip out to the shops for a twix just cos you fancy one.

A lot of hospitals are cancelling routine operations etc to free up beds, and staff are being redistributed to other areas, so bear with us and be patient if you are in hospital over the next few momths, it might be our first day in that area.

And we're not all saintly angels, I'm a nurse and am pretty worried about the whole thing, I have decided not to see my family or friends for the foreseeable future as I have close contact with a lot of patients and some of them are bound to be positive. So I'm honestly probably not as cheery as usual at work, bear with me! My annual leave has not been cancelled (thank God, I'll really need it!).

Oh, and stop nicking the hand sanitizer! We've only got one bottle left

One last thing...look out for your older family members or neighbours, maybe drop older neighbours a note asking if they need help with picking up shopping if the government advises over 70s to self isolate at home for the next few months (which looks likely). They are the most vulnerable at this scary time and some don't have any family to help.

Short term...Help the NHS by following NHS guidelines. Wash hands, self-isolate, cough into a tissue and bin it, etc.

Longer term...help the NHS by following NHS guidelines. Eat healthily, exercise, drink less, stop smoking, etc. So much pressure is on the NHS dealing with conditions related to smoking, drinking and diet. If we all took a bit more responsibility for our health, this would save the NHS ££££s I'm sure.