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Original poster

NHS Christmas Parties

109 replies

Bobholll · 19/12/2021 09:07

I know two nurses. Well actually I know more but these two have popped up on Facebook today. Both out having a ‘ward’ Christmas party in their local cities. Both is in restaurants, bars & clubs. About 10 people at each event. Not a spot of distancing or mask wearing among them.

I also know a couple doctors. They both had their work Christmas parties on Friday. Again, one was about 12 colleagues (doctors & nurses by the comments) all out in multiple bars. And the other about 20 people at one of those hotel Christmas events where you get a table, food, music etc.

Now I’m thrilled for them that they get to celebrate & have a lovely time. Honestly delighted. I can only imagine how shit it’s been the last couple years.. but the general public is being slammed for considering mixing with anyone indoors, let alone going out clubbing etc! I know so many cancelled parties (thankfully not mine, we got ours in early in December).. if those at the forefront of covid & how terrible it is can party on down, why is everyone else being told our actions are going to cause the NHS to collapse?! 😫

OP posts:
Unsure33 · 19/12/2021 10:04

@rrhuth

The government said not to cancel Christmas parties.

If you're going to get pissed off at this shitshow, blame Johnson and his Tory cronies.

NHS staff are medical cannon fodder in the covid battle. Have a Biscuit for criticising them instead of the TORY GOVERNMENT.

But they also said minimise risk. Take your own responsibility People are so good at picking what they want to hear.

We cancelled ours because we can’t afford to have members of staff of sick as we help provide critical medical equipment.

Every situation is different and nurses and doctors and carers are special as they are looking after venerable sick people everyday . So I would hope that each department did their own risk assesment based on staffing levels and risk at the venue and did LFT.

RobinPenguins · 19/12/2021 10:04

It's an interesting situation though ....... I've never known a nhs trust pay for staff at a christmas party - they usually all pay for themselves and attend outside of work hours. So you could argue that they have no right to dictate what staff do with their own money in their own time with their social lives.

I’m not NHS, other public sector, but this was the response from my employer - i.e. it wasn’t organised by them, paid for by them or endorsed by them and we were all adults entitled to make our own choices to behave within the rules. They recommended people take lateral flow tests just before going, but had no basis on which to stop people choosing to get together outside work.

Wakemein2023 · 19/12/2021 10:04

live, my luve is always unrestricted

ColleysMill · 19/12/2021 10:04

@Howshouldibehave

So, are work Xmas parties during covid fine for the Tories, OP, but not now for NHS staff?

Should teachers stay at home too? And delivery drivers?

Exactly - where do you draw the line at essential services

Wine and cheese anyone ????

Keepitonthedownlow · 19/12/2021 10:05

Get a grip they'll all be triple vaccinated and will have had covid, they need a life.

rwalker · 19/12/2021 10:05

@rrhuth

The government said not to cancel Christmas parties.

If you're going to get pissed off at this shitshow, blame Johnson and his Tory cronies.

NHS staff are medical cannon fodder in the covid battle. Have a Biscuit for criticising them instead of the TORY GOVERNMENT.

I think they said us your own judgement and be responsible .
MauveMavis · 19/12/2021 10:05

Blame the govt.

Christmas Parties are allowed.

Outside of work staff can do what they like within the law.

Messaging in my institution was - no gatherings to be held on Trust Property.
Off site “parties are allowed by govt guidance but we ask you to think about the impact on the service of infection we’re to be shared there”

The government should not have put hospital managers/staff in that position IMO.

MauveMavis · 19/12/2021 10:06

Bloody autocorrect

“Think about the impact on the service if infection were to be shared there”

BunnyBlanket · 19/12/2021 10:07

They’re probably more likely to catch covid at work than in a pub.

Pieceofpurplesky · 19/12/2021 10:07

@Whammyyammy

How about I edit the post for you OP.

I have been to my works Christmas party THIS MONTH.

2 of my friends are NHS nurses and were at their Christmas party last night.

I AM outraged by this as I AM a massive hypocrite

This in bucketloads
MargosKaftan · 19/12/2021 10:07

To check, have I got this right - NHS staff should cancel their Christmas parties to make sure they are well enough to treat the people who didn't cancel their Christmas parties/didn't get jabbed?

I dont work for the NHS. I dont begrudge any of them having a bit of fun after the shittiest of years and getting ready for the next wave hitting them.

mum2jakie · 19/12/2021 10:08

Good for them. Hope they all had an absolutely fantastic night after the last two years. Wonder if the people bitching about it were standing on their doorsteps clapping previously??

ColleysMill · 19/12/2021 10:08

Onsite nhs gatherings I can understand being cancelled. Tbh noone who is attached to clinical services (including clinical admin) has the time to attend in work time anyway

Unsure33 · 19/12/2021 10:08

@Elfcandoone

Well if you're spending 12 hours in a Covid Ward treating patients with (wait for it) Covid, I can't see how they're at any more risk of becoming ill from spending a couple of hours in the pub.
Because they won’t be wearing full PPE 🤷‍♀️
carrythecan · 19/12/2021 10:08

It is pretty telling that the people who are in the know (i.e. politicians and frontline NHS) are carrying on mingling and living their lives. Why aren't they all cowering away in isolation if it's such a dangerous deadly virus?

Yes, I do know it is a very nasty virus for vulnerable people and I think we should spend money protecting those that need it. However I also think that the rest of us need to carry on and live our lives.

changingstages · 19/12/2021 10:08

Oh, is this this year's 'nurses are just making TikTok videos and not actually busy'?

FestiveMelts · 19/12/2021 10:10

I'm glad parties are going ahead, whoever it's for. There are no official restrictions in place so there is no subsidy for the many businesses suffering from cancellations. We need to use the hospitality industry or we won't have it much longer.

ANameChangeAgain · 19/12/2021 10:10

Can we just stop with this nonsense. Bunch of colleagues who are regularly pcr testing have a party together. Big deal.

Unsure33 · 19/12/2021 10:11

@MargosKaftan

To check, have I got this right - NHS staff should cancel their Christmas parties to make sure they are well enough to treat the people who didn't cancel their Christmas parties/didn't get jabbed?

I dont work for the NHS. I dont begrudge any of them having a bit of fun after the shittiest of years and getting ready for the next wave hitting them.

I don’t think it’s quite as black and white as that .

Departments work in different ways and I just was saying each department should do their own risk assesment and decide .

If you are going to do LFT and be in a small ventilated venue then that’s ok .

If you are in critical care and your department already had staff off sick or isolating then I am sure we can trust the NHS a to take the right decisions. As should the rest of us .

Forgothowmuchlhatehomeschoolin · 19/12/2021 10:13

@Whammyyammy

How about I edit the post for you OP.

I have been to my works Christmas party THIS MONTH.

2 of my friends are NHS nurses and were at their Christmas party last night.

I AM outraged by this as I AM a massive hypocrite

This was how l read it too...l'm alright Jack!
Unsure33 · 19/12/2021 10:14

@carrythecan

It is pretty telling that the people who are in the know (i.e. politicians and frontline NHS) are carrying on mingling and living their lives. Why aren't they all cowering away in isolation if it's such a dangerous deadly virus?

Yes, I do know it is a very nasty virus for vulnerable people and I think we should spend money protecting those that need it. However I also think that the rest of us need to carry on and live our lives.

Unfortunately over Christmas is when the vunerable and the rest of the population mix.

And at the moment there is a mixture of symptoms and still lots of people not vaccinated so it is quite hard to carry on as normal .

SpinsForGin · 19/12/2021 10:14

but the general public is being slammed for considering mixing with anyone indoors

Only on Mumsnet.....

myyellowcar · 19/12/2021 10:16

I went and had a great time, the place was full of other NHS staff, teachers, builders, private companies. Everyone had a brilliant night and I hope all NHS doctors and nurses have a great Christmas party!

FallonCarringtonWannabe · 19/12/2021 10:17

@Keepitonthedownlow

Get a grip they'll all be triple vaccinated and will have had covid, they need a life.
Thats really not true though is it. If you think they should get to go out and have parties because that’s life, that’s fine. Lots of people agree. But let’s not lie to make it ok.

Bunch of colleagues who are regularly pcr testing
Really? Regular pcr testing? Hmm

drainitallout · 19/12/2021 10:19

Oh OP did you read your post back before posting it? Your NHS friends are so lucky to have a friend like you for support Hmm