Our campaign is now complete. 700 supporters helped us raise £21,525.00
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We have been overwhelmed by the wave of support in the face of the trauma and adversity experienced by our healthcare workers. On behalf of everyone at the HWF, for all the healthcare workers YOU are helping, THANK YOU.
But the fight is not over..
Although evidence suggests that the Omicron variant is less severe than originally feared, the threat to the NHS and the enormous strain on healthcare workers continues and is more worrying than ever. Staff shortages are reducing NHS workers to tears and pandemic- induced PTSD is real and is affecting increasing numbers of healthcare workers .
I began having nightmares; fighting with patients and relatives, watching people die, unable to help patients... then the nightmares became about my family and being unable to reach and help my children in time. I could be watching television relaxed (finally) and a phone on the TV would ring and it would be a red phone like the one we have in A&E for standbys and my heart would race and a panic attack commence. My hair has begun falling out. Not a few strands but clumps. I have an upset stomach on shift or after. The anxiety is completely real as is the burn out." Laura, A & E Nurse
The pandemic has caused so much pain and mental health concerns amongst colleagues and NHS staff. So many are suffering with PTSD, Anxiety, depression, stress and other mental health problems. So many staff lie in bed awake at night hearing ventilator alarm sounds ringing in their heads, the sounds of covid patients gasping for breath, patients crying out for help. I myself have suffered with flashbacks and nightmares. I feel as if I am on a ventilator in my nightmare and I wake up gasping for breath in a panic as the doctors pull my endotracheal tube out of my throat ." Emily, A & E Receptionist
This MUST stop!
* Our healthcare workers are at breaking point
* Our healthcare workers are exhausted
* Our healthcare workers are giving up and leaving the profession
We need to act NOW to ensure that they can continue to function.
Our support is critical to reduce the risk of more doctors and nurses leaving the profession entirely.
YOUR SUPPORT will help fund:
The difference YOU can make:
Counselling really saved me. The HWF have teamed up to offer hundreds of counselling hours to NHS staff who need that support. I cannot even think of where I would be now had it have not been for my counselling. " Emily, A & E Receptionist
Your generous contribution was greatly appreciated by our staff who are working hard to fight COVID-19, especially on the front line. The support has helped teams across our four hospitals: Royal Sussex County, Royal Alexandra Childrens', Princess Royal Sussex Eye. We appreciate all of the efforts of the community to come together during this unprecedented time. Thank you for joining in and doing your part to make it better for BSUH staff and ultimately, our patients." Sarah Tusker, Royal Sussex County Hospital
Support from HWF has been overwhelming in helping to ease (our) pain. They have supported us in ways we couldn't have imagined. It's a rough journey, but they are helping us deal with it. As well providing access to bereavement counselling and therapy, checking on them regularly, HWF helped secure a four-week accounting internship and is supporting (our daughter) in her A-level studies." Ken, supported by HWF Families Programme
Thankfully, we can now see a light at the end of the tunnel as far as the pandemic is concerned, but there is one thing that wont be going away any time soon: the emotional exhaustion of thousands of healthcare workers. I have already seen a large number of my colleagues take leave due to stress, burnout and mental health problems. As one pandemic has settled, another has emerged." Jennifer, a GP in London
Healthcare workers need us now more than ever. The long term, side effects of the pandemic are debilitating, but you can make a difference. Please help us raise awareness of our important work and give whatever you can to help us help them.
For more information, or to discover other ways you can support NHS and healthcare workers, email fundraising@healthcareworkersfoundation.org
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