We are coming into winter, the COVID-19 crisis is on-going, and other winter pressures will soon mount up. There are myths circulating amongst an unhappy, unsupported public. The total lie that "GP surgeries closed during the first wave" which has been propagated by some media outlets. Blame-seeking for cancelled elective procedures. Grievances about long waits.

There is confusion around lockdown; a lack of financial support. Constantly changing rules. Poor explanations as to why these lockdowns are necessary.

There is confusion around "who to trust", experts are not being listened to.

There is fear and confusion and anger.

We need to run a huge, nationwide public awareness campaign involving a social media ad campaign, billboards, work with the media and printed materials to convey to the public that:

1. NHS healthcare workers are working harder than ever before, and no healthcare facility has shut down at any point during the COVID-19 crisis.

2. Every healthcare worker is working extremely hard to keep patients safe and do as much elective care as can safely be achieved. There is a limit to our resource because we are chronically underfunded and understaffed.

3. The government needs to be held to account. The government needs to listen to experts, make contingency plans, support those in lockdown financially and support healthcare workers who are working harder than they ever have done before.

No one else is going to run this campaign and work hard to explain to the public what is truly happening. The unity between patients and healthcare workers has been decimated in a time of crisis, through the actions of politicians and the media. We need to re-build this unity, as an emergency.

We can do this, together.

EveryDoctor

We are 1600 doctors pushing for change; find out more here: www.everydoctor.org.uk

Breakdown of how the money will be spent:

£5,000 to run Facebook adverts.

£5000 to run newspaper adverts.

£5000 to pay for a prominent Billboard

£5000 to pay for printed materials to circulate to healthcare facilities.

£10,000 to pay for contractors to help us with graphic design, campaign strategy and online communications.

If we exceed our target, we will respond to the aspects of our campaign which has been the most successful and direct further funds there.