I think many of us are lucky to know and love friends and family who are presently working in the NHS. Stories are abundant on social media about how hard they’re working, the tasks and risks ahead of them, and some of the adversity they’re facing amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

I wanted to share this post as not only an (albeit tiny) expression of thanks, but also as some hopeful food for thought for those dickhead few who keep jeopardising the service and risking everyone’s health by not following possibly the simplest rule that can be dished out in a crisis. Nobody is happy about any of this, and ‘staying at home’ will mean we’ll all suffer in some way – but it’s the only way to get through this.

For the first time ever in my life yesterday, I had to call 999 for an ambulance. You never want to find yourself in that position, but when that scenario hits at a time when you know the NHS are under serious strain, your heart absolutely sinks thinking about how everything is going to play out. Not only is your life in someone else’s hands, but there’s a possibility that those hands may already be full.

This is where I show some massive love to NWAS paramedics, Sharon and Pete. I cannot thank them enough for how they took such good care of every single member of this household yesterday, both medically and emotionally. They’re under immense strain amid this pandemic, but not once did this impact their wonderful demeanor or high level of patient care. With a toddler becoming extremely fretful given the sudden onset of strangers, frightening looking equipment and an overall sense of urgency, the team even managed to calm her down by letting her ‘drive’ the ambulance. Seriously, that girl has ticked more things off her bucket list than I have.

As heartwarming as that aspect was, the whole event yesterday was sobering to say the least, and it made me think about how it all could have been so different. So, what I’m about to say next is for anyone who still (for whatever reason) doesn’t get the big deal with Corona, social distancing and the whole staying at home thing…

What if something completely unrelated to the virus happens to you or a loved one at this time, and you or they are in need of urgent medical attention and emergency care?

A heart attack.

A life-threatening injury.

An event or complication that puts the fear of god in you and changes the way you think about your life and health forever.

We all know someone in the NHS, but sadly, we all probably know someone who has really needed them in a critical situation, too. We haven’t even peaked with this virus shit yet, and already staff from all over are having to be redeployed, drafted in, and likely overworked and put at risk to cope with it all. What if you can’t get the care you need – or can’t even get through to 999 – because ‘just the flu’ is taking every possible resource?

My family is absolutely fine, by the way, so though the context is mine, this message is hopeful that you’ll focus instead on one of two groups of people. Either show some massive love in some way for Sharon, Pete and all of their colleagues in the NHS working so hard to protect us, or a give a socially distanced/virtual smack around the head to those people who still – unfathomably – think that this doesn’t affect them.

I never want to have to call 999 for an ambulance ever again, and I certainly don’t want to have to do it during the next few weeks.

If you’re in any doubt about whether it’s ‘right’ to call 999 or not, this link to the relevant page on the NHS website will be of help to you as it was to me.

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