Wayne Courtney
Aged 45
An HCSW worker assisting nursing staff on the acute stroke ward in UHW, Cardiff
It’s challenging and things are changing quickly. There’s a great team spirit amongst staff and everyone’s supporting each other.
The virus has changed everything on a personal level. I can’t see my family or friends. I’m keeping a safe distance between myself and one of my housemates because she has underlying health problems. It can be quite stressful constantly thinking of safety and protection. Because my housemate is shielding herself, I worry constantly that I could bring the virus home.
In Cardiff we’ve been lucky to get any PPE that was recommended and I know they’ve been testing staff who’ve had symptoms. I’d really like to have the test which lets you know if you’ve had it so I can have peace of mind.
My biggest worry is people ignoring the “stay at home” plea from the Government. I think their careless actions are going to impact on us all in a few weeks.
Shops have been a nightmare, in the beginning because of my shifts I wasn’t able to get anything but now I use the NHS hours at supermarkets to shop. It really helps. I think the people working in supermarkets are doing a great job. I really feel for them. They deserve so much recognition for their hard work.
I felt extremely proud to be part of the artwork and to see so many smiling faces from the NHS. I’m proud to be part of the NHS – I don’t think it’s ever easy, there’s always a challenge. I thought wow! I felt really overwhelmed. It made me feel really appreciated.
It’s really nice and again overwhelming. We sometimes get a rough time from all angles, but the support the last few weeks has been really touching.
I went out on my doorstep and didn’t expect to see anyone [for the #ClapforNHS tribute clapping now at 8pm each Thursday]. I was shocked when I saw so many of my neighbours clapping. My housemates cried, but I just felt pride. My next-door neighbour told me she was clapping for me.
My family, I just want them to be safe. One day this will all be over and I just want everyone I love to be OK. It’s an awful virus and it’s going to take so many people.
I hope we learn from this, I hope we continue to show kindness to each other like we have lately and I hope people continue to appreciate the NHS and fight harder for it in the future.
I also hope we will be treated more fairly with pay rises in future. I want politicians to respect that we stayed with you through the hard times, we went to work when we didn’t know what to expect, despite everything we’ve always done our best – will the politicians do the same to protect us and our NHS?