Brits back new bank holiday from next year to celebrate heroic NHS and care staff battling coronavirus
TWO in three Brits support the creation of a new bank holiday from next year to celebrate NHS and care staff.
Medical, nursing and care leaders also back the idea suggested by the Institute for Public Policy Research think tank.
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Five promises
- Safety – The government must do everything in its power to ensure PPE supply to health and social care workers through this crisis.
- Accommodation – No-one should face housing or accommodation insecurity while working on the coronavirus frontline.
- Care – Government must prioritise key workers by funding a significant uplift in free childcare provision.
- Mental Health – Extending priority access to counselling to the two million patient facing health and care workers not currently covered.
- Pay – Guaranteeing people their full salary if they fall ill, rather than the ‘pitifully low’ Statutory Sick Pay entitlement.
It is among proposals in an IPPR “Care Fit For Carers” report which warns 300,000 health workers could quit if they get no help.
Half of NHS staff have seen their mental health deteriorate over the crisis.
The report’s suggestions include a ten per cent Covid-19 pay bonus and counselling for NHS staff working during the crisis.
A YouGov poll of nearly 2,200 adults found nine in ten agreed.
The cash boost would be worth an extra £2,500 to 3,000 for a newly qualified nurse.
The report also urges immediate improvement of PPE supply, hotels requisitioned for on-call staff and more free childcare.
‘DO RIGHT BY THEM’
Its author Chris Thomas said: “Our care heroes are making significant sacrifices to pull our country through this crisis. It is imperative
Government does not allow their efforts to become a modern Charge of the Light Brigade.”
Leading GP Dr Clare Gerada, former chair of the RCGP, said: “When we needed them most, our remarkable health and care workers have stepped up.
“They are doing right by us. It is time for us to do right by them.”
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Dr Emma Vaux, from the Royal College of Physicians, said: “Staff have stepped up without complaint, doing their very best by patients and the public.
“Today’s report is a public reminder that staff will need support in the weeks and months ahead.”
Professor Martin Green, Chief Executive of Care England, said the Government must “cherish” our frontline workers.
He said: “If there is one thing that this dreadful pandemic has shown us it is that the social care workforce is our greatest resource.”
Join our George Cross campaign for NHS staff
We are urging Sun readers to sign a petition calling for our NHS staff to be awarded the George Cross.
We are backing a proposal by Lord Ashcroft to honour our health heroes with the gallantry gong given for acts of bravery that did not take place in battle.
A No10 spokesman said: “The NHS is doing a fantastic job and the nation will want to find a way to say thank you when we have defeated this virus.”
SAS hero Andy McNab added: “The award of a George Cross would show an emotional appreciation.”
We are asking our readers to please sign the petition below.
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