Gareth Rees

Aged 29

Anaesthetic practitioner, based in the main theatre department in UHW, Cardiff

I absolutely love my job, it’s extremely challenging and no day is the same. My job at the moment is the same in the challenging respect, however the challenges are obviously different.

Thankfully, we are a couple of weeks behind Italy or Spain, so we have been fortunate in receiving lots of guidance and simulation training in preparation to treating Covid patients.

Coronavirus has impacted on me personally, I have been unable to visit friends or family. Obviously working on the frontline we are at an increased risk of catching/transmitting the virus, therefore I have had to isolate myself from them.

I did see two close friends last week, but it meant sitting in the garden two metres apart and entering via the side gate. In future I will remember to take a blanket with me for such occasions!

Fortunately we have adequate PPE at the moment. As for testing there is a team of dedicated “mask fit testers” who are working around the clock to ensure all staff are mask fit tested, thus ensuring each member of staff knows exactly what mask to use when needed. A big thank you must go to these people who are working all hours of the day and coming in on days off to ensure everybody can be tested.

I have been able to go to the shops and having earlier opening times for staff has been fantastic for us..

To be part of Nathan’s artwork has been fantastic and humbling. Knowing Nathan’s talent I knew that he would create a great

piece of art; however, this is better than I could have ever imagined and the “thank you” at the bottom of the picture is a beautiful touch.

The outpouring of love towards the NHS has been overwhelming, I have received messages from friends worldwide, which has been lovely. Members of the public have been donating anything they can from cash, biscuits, tea and coffee and more, and I must say a huge thank you to each and everyone of those who have donated, however big or small. It means a hell of a lot to us staff.

We work in the NHS because we care and want to make a difference. It’s nice to be applauded but we really don’t go to work to be applauded. It’s a shame that it takes something like this for people to realise how essential the NHS is to each and every one of us. However, the applause on Thursday was overwhelming and I speak for myself and lots of my colleagues, I think most people felt emotional hearing all the applause.

In light of this crisis, I think it’s about time that NHS staff received the pay rise they deserve and have been promised for years. Not a 1% increase, but a pay rise that reflects the hard work that all staff do on a daily basis, not just during this crisis, the hard work that was going on before and will go on long after this pandemic.

My fear right now is that people aren’t taking this virus as seriously as they should be. Working on the frontline we see the seriousness of this virus all too often.

The message is clear – STAY HOME AND STAY SAFE!