As I am sure you’ve seen in the news recently Cpt Tom Moore has raised a staggering amount of money for the NHS Charities Together, the exact amount is £28,731,630 as at 24/04/2020 at 21:39.
the Sun newspaper suggested that the funds raised be spent in the following ways;
- Immediate relief support
- Fund care partnerships that work alongside hospitals
- Mental health recovery of NHS staff
Using the funds raised for any or all of the above reasons is great but in terms of the current coronavirus pandemic, I believe the money can be utilised for a different purpose.
What can the money raised by Cpt Tom be used for?
During the Coronavirus epidemic it’s fair to say that NHS workers have been absolute heroes who should be praised at every opportunity. But even with this being said, a lot of NHS workers still feel they’re being underpaid and undervalued.
Recently there was a research carried out by UNISON which underlines my earlier point of how many NHS staff feel underpaid and undervalued.
A new survey by UNISON, the UK’s biggest health trade union, reveals that three quarters of NHS workers said there isn’t enough staff in their ward or team and that almost two thirds (63%) are worried about patient safety as a result.
“The online survey of 3,380 UNISON members reveals how workers are working harder and longer hours for free to make up for the staff shortages. Nearly two thirds (64%) of NHS staff work overtime and almost three in five (58%) said their workload has increased.
It also reveals that 70% of them are not paid when they work over their shift, two thirds rarely leave work on time and half (49%) are not able to take breaks because of their workload.
More than three quarters (77%) said they are not at all satisfied with their pay and seven in ten don’t feel valued by their employers despite the extra effort and goodwill NHS workers bring to the service.
A staggering four in five (83%) NHS workers said they have to work more for less money and more than seven in ten (71%) said they had poor work life balance.” (Unison, 2020)
These statistics really show the grandeur of the problem and I believe an opportunity can be seized here to boost the morale.
The money raised by Captain Moore could be used in the following ways:
- Tax free lump sum paid directly to NHS workers in the form of a bonus.
- The government could opt to double the money raised as they do through gift aid.
I believe any of the above two suggestions will honor our NHS workers even if they end up receiving a small but symbolic amount.
My argument is that putting the money the NHS ‘machine’ means it would be swallowed before it’s arrival and will disappear without making a sizable difference given the gigantic budget of the NHS
Other countries have seized the initiative to give bonuses to their healthcare workers. France announced that they’d bonuses of up to 1,500 euros to key workers as thank you for their hard work.
So my question is why can’t the UK government do the same and reciprocate what the french have done?
I am sure our government can afford to add money to the kind words they express on a daily basis towards NHS workers . A handshake or a pat on the back (given the current circumstances) is appreciated but better when accompanied with a bonus or cheque.
Hope you’ve enjoyed reading my views and analysis in this edition, I’ll be back next week with another weekly analysis. Until then….
The Weekly Politics 