Nurses’ dedication akin to days of Nightingale

These men and women deserve our support and decent income,

After a routine operation went horribly wrong, I spent over four months in an intensive care unit. Then, even after some have said it’s impossible to survive total organ failure and one has less that 5% chance of recovering. I spent a further two and a half months in rehab.

The care and dedication I received night and day for that horrific period from the nurses is second to none. Their total disregard of time and hours in giving the care I needed was akin to the days of Florence Nightingale.

Young trainee nurses actually crying at the bed of a dangerously ill patient, sobbing often when the patient didn’t make it.

I had nurses holding my hand and praying, yes praying. Did they receive help or counselling for this? Not a chance.

All this even before the onslaught of Covid.

Days gone by, they were fed by the hospital kitchen, now they have to bring their own food. And if they can’t afford it, they do without but still maintain their dedication and service.

Rude? Of course they are sometimes, but what does one expects when they are inadequately trained to deal with the public.

Do I think they need a decent wage, working conditions and dedicated professional training to further their careers? You are damn right, I do.

These men and women not only deserve our support, they deserve decent work conditions and proper training, above all our respect.