Friday 5 March 2021

Friday

 I try never to be political on my blog - but I really must touch on the insulting offer (and that is all it is at the moment) of one percent for NHS Staff.   These are the people who have put themselves in the front line of danger throughout the past year.   These are the people who we applauded every Thursday evening on our doorsteps (including the Prime Minister).   These are the people - some of whom died in the effort - who have slaved all year to save lives.

During that year I was in hospital.   Not with Covid thank goodness - I broke my hip.   I spent a week in Darlington Memorial Hospital where I had a hip replacement and a week of brilliant care in isolation because of Covid.   Then I was transferred to The Friary Community Hospital in Richmond and had a fortnight in there - it was like a first class hotel.   I cannot fault the lovely staff - men and women who worked from 8am to 9pm - thirteen hour shifts with just their meal times off.   They were without exception cheerful, fun-loving people.   They jollied us along, they helped where necessary (one of the sisters took my dirty laundry home and washed and dried and ironed it and brought it back the next day and I didn;t even notice it had gone from my cupboard).   I was sorry to come out and they kept me in an extra couple of days until I got private home care sorted out.

These are the people who it is suggested should be content with a one percent pay rise.   I will say no more except to say 'food for thought.'

On another subject entirely, sadly I have sold my beloved little Corsa.   He has served me well for the last four years and I don't want to sell him.   But I know in my heart of hearts that I will never be able to drive again.   Driving means pushing Priscilla to the boot, folding her, putting her into the boot (lifting her in) and then I am marooned at the back of my car with no means of getting back to the driver's door because I can't walk without Priscilla.   It is a decision I had to come to and the garage I bought it from have bought it back from me.   There will be a few tears when he goes.

It is a chilly, semi-sunny day here for my walk out this afternoon with someone from the Falls Team, but at least it isn't raining.   See you tomorrow.

31 comments:

wherethejourneytakesme2 said...

It is a very small nod indeed from the government for all their hard work - I wonder what pay rise they will award themselves when the time comes?
It will be a sad day to lose your car but sounds like something that was going to be inevitable whether it was today or in the near future. Often it is making the decision that is the hard part.

Marty said...

Saying goodbye to your car is a logical but sad milestone for sure.
Only a one percent increase does provide food for thought, but no other type of food.

Hard up Hester said...

Disgusting only 1%.

I'm getting rid of my car soon and I know I'm going to miss it dreadfully.

Sue E said...

I think it’s a disgraceful offer , I’m an ex nurse , and I know how hard they all work, I was angry watching two very well paid BBC presenters asking two health professionals to justify their request for a pay rise this morning, I’m so sorry you have to say goodbye to your car, it’s a hard decision for you , but as you say , the difficulties would outweigh any benefits .

Marcia LaRue said...

A 1% pay increase is a slap in the face .. a total embarrassment!
I give you credit for knowing it is time to let the car go, realizing you simply cannot do it any more! Far too many seniors refuse to give up their independence and, in so doing, put not only themselves but others in danger when out on the roads! Congratulations for being one Smart Cookie!
Hugs from Colorado ... enjoy your weekend!!

Yellow Shoes said...

A hard decision to end a life of driving but you will be better off. Cars cost. A brave decision. X

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry you are sad about your car - a friend of mine went through the same transition recently and we talked and talked through the options. Recently she said that she realized what a life improvement it was not to feel badly about not using her car, taking a scarce parking place for it, etc. It was very old and of minimal value but she was able to donate it to an organization that supports a charity she cares about and they recently sent a note detailing what they did with the funds, which was also positive.

Thank you for keeping us up to date on your thoughts.

ceci

Derek Faulkner said...

It is a miserly pay rise, especially when MP's were awarded a sum of £10,000 during one of the lockdowns in order to pay for the extra cost of staying at home.
Mind you, there are different opinions, one senior nurse on the radio this morning said that she is happy with her current wages, especially when they are more than her prison officer husband's.
She would rather that any extra money went to extra nurses and free training.

Ellen D. said...

So many of the "essential workers" jobs are low pay. Yet, they had to work through the COVID dangers for us! There is a fight over minimum wage going on here.
How sensible you are to decide about your car! Well done!

Rachel Phillips said...

I wonder how many people know the pay scales,the pensions, the annual increments etc. It would be worth looking. Perhaps rather than an across the board 1% a higher percentage could go to the lower pay scale nurses and also less than 1% to the NHS hospital managers unless merit said otherwise.

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Dear Pat,

Well, the decision is made about your car. Far, far better to decide than continue without a resolution since that enables one to feel rather more in control of events. We are certain that this is not only a good move, but a very positive one on the financial front. Do not cry for the Corsa, have tears of joy for the chauffeur taxi drivers to come.:):) We have never regretted the going of the motor cars which, with hindsight, one tends to recall the too frequent times when they were not going anywhere at all except a garage. Fast forward to the future of a car-free zone and never being concerned about where to park!

We have to say that we were never fond of the hand clapping [also taken place in Budapest] since it seemed rather undignified when, in reality, the health care workers at all levels just want and need a decent pay packet. And, a derisory 1% does seem to add insult to the whole affair. Percentages are never, in our view, a good way to reward the 'poor' since 1% of very little is still very little whereas 1% of a substantial salary is more than enough. Fairer is to have an additional tax free monetary sum which means so much more to the less well off and may even pass not being noticed by their far better paid counterparts.

Joan (Devon) said...

1% is an insult to all the nursing staff particularly the ones on the wards. All I can think of is Sir Captain Tom who did his charity walks for the NHS, raising millions of pounds. I'm sure he wouldn't be happy with this slap in the face to the nursing profession.

I think you made a sensible decision in giving your car up. A big wrench yes, but also a relief. When I realised that my MS was going to get worse I decided to give my licence up and haven't regretted it as I knew and it has been proved, that I made the right decision.

Librarian said...

You took the right decision about your car, knowing you won't be able to drive on your own anymore. Taxi drivers will be more than happy to take you wherever you need to go, and I am sure among your many wonderful friends and neighbours there are also some with cars who will gladly play chauffeur for you occasionally.

I was just listening to BBC Radio York while ironing, they were interviewing someone from the NHS about the 1% offer. The lady rightly asked the question where all the money was that had been promised to be available for the NHS once the UK would leave the EU.

Heather said...

Saying goodbye to your car will be very hard, but I am sure you have made the right decision.
I agree with you about the 1% pay rise for NHS staff. It seems almost worse than nothing at all. Hopefully that decision will be given further thought.
I can see a neighbour's prunus tree in blossom which is cheering me up today.

CharlotteP said...

Rachel is right to suggest higher percentage rate increases for lower paid NHS workers - especially as Derek says MPs were awarded an additional £10,000 for the 'extra cost' of staying at home!

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

Who would have expected anything else from our politicians?

Hildred said...

Time passes, - we get older and have to give up some of the pleasures we once enjoyed - driving being one of them. My youngest son drives the SUV now - he has promised me a trip into the hills as spring arrives, and I am looking forward to that. I still treasure memories of the last trip Charles and I made, and look longingly at the pictures we took of the country side......

Bonnie said...

I agree about the 1%, the health care workers and other front line workers as well deserve much more. It must have been a difficult decision about your car but it does sound like the best decision. Particularly since you live in an area where you have access to other transportation. It will be good for you to sit back, relax and let others drive you for a change. You deserve it. Enjoy your walk today. I'm sure the lady that will be walking with you will be happy to see your improvements!

Derek Faulkner said...

Does anybody know where all millions that Capt. Tom raised for the NHS went?

Rachel Phillips said...

Derek, I spoke at least more than once at the time on my blog that I hoped he was receiving proper advice about the funds collected as I have experience of voluntarily collected funds festering for years in a NHS sundry account while committees argue what it is to be used for and what the intention of the givers were. To your question I do not know the answer although I believe it has been accounted for.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Some really good points made here about that one percent pay offer - all well worth reading through. Thank you for all your contributions

gmv said...

My husband and I worked 40 years in health care. He as a Respiratory Practitioner and me as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. It was very hard long hours of work but most satisfying being able to help those during health crisis. Anytime we received a raise it was a time to rejoice and a feeling that what we did was appreciated. Here in the U.S. we still thankfully have the choice of private health care and the hospitals we worked for were quite generous in raising our salaries every year or two at time of our work evaluations. Usually between 3-5%.

It sounds like your health care system of workers do a fantastic and dedicated work and certainly deserve more than a tiny 1%.

Unknown said...

Nurses are highly paid in the usa. 6 figure salaries are the norm. This is not the first time I hear about pay inequity.

Joanne Noragon said...

I am sorry to hear the pay increase for your medical staff is so small. It seems demeaning.

jinxxxygirl said...

Pat do you try to take a step or two without Pricilla every day?? Perhaps it is a confidence thing? Keep her close maybe push her ahead of you a little then take a step or two to her.. I don't know.. maybe you don't have to be so dependent on her... Anyway i'm sorry to hear you had to sell your car. I'm sure it was difficult to give up that bit of independence.. I've always said Pat your one of the bravest people i know. Hugs! deb

Cro Magnon said...

I quite expect you will soon learn to live without a car, and come to think of it as a release from worry and expense. A few taxi rides throughout the year for emergencies will be feel like very cheap luxury in comparison.

angryparsnip said...

It seems that you have such great friends and taxi service that I am sure Cro is right. Cars are very expensive.

thelma said...

Well my only thought on the fact that a 1% pay rise for nursing staff was to be made, is that the Conservatives have made another enormous blunder in the eyes of the country. Of course nurses deserve and need it, the NHS has stood up in the face of a terrible pandemic and fought it for us. Anyone who has experienced treatment in hospital will know their dedication and care.

Frances said...

Think of all the money you will save by not running a car, and treat yourself to something that you might not otherwise do.....it might help to soften the blow!

the veg artist said...

Weave, don't forget to claim any unused car expenses - insurance, breakdown, tax etc, that have time left on them. Refunds are usually made!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Veg artist - thank you - I have all the relevant papers by the telephone to do this on Monday.
Frances - agree but cant think of anything.
Thelma - well said.
Debs - don;t think I shall ever be able to walk without Priscilla as my knee ligaments have gone.

Thanks to all of you for your contributiona.