Short-changing the NHS?

To The Daily Telegraph

When he was in intensive care, NHS nurses saved the Prime Minister’s life. Little thanks have they received, with a 1% rise. The Government should think again.

Hyder Ali Pirwany, Okehampton, Devon

To The Daily Telegraph

My husband had a scan in hospital this week. The nurse told him how grateful she was to have had a job during the Covid pandemic.

Every NHS worker has done a magnificent job in this traumatic year. But they have been doing jobs. Why do they deserve a pay increase more than, say, delivery drivers or supermarket staff who have gone to work every day to keep our lives running smoothly? The less fortunate have lost jobs, businesses or homes, and may have suffered harm to their mental health. Will they get a pay rise this year?

The Government helped us through tough times. Now we must pay the piper. All of us.

Geraldine Davies, Bristol

To The Times

The NHS employs approximately 1.5 million people, including full and part-time roles. Of course every one of those people, from cleaners and porters to consultants – who worked directly for, say, more than two weeks on a ward treating Covid-19 patients – plus the paramedics who transported patients, should be rewarded for their bravery and dedication, perhaps with a one-off bonus of £1,000. However, almost half of NHS employees work in non-clinical positions; I fail to see why those whose jobs in, for example, closed outpatients’ clinics as clerks and receptionists, or those who worked from home in an administrative capacity, should expect a pay rise. These people enjoyed full-time pay, pensions, sick pay and holiday pay throughout the pandemic and still have their jobs, unlike many of their fellow citizens.

Margaret Goslett, Richmond, Surrey