Samantha Wathen
@samanthajwathen.bsky.social
Press/Media Officer for Keep Our NHS Public and Operations for Frontline19. Occasional bylines on the NHS. Passionate about mental health support for HCPs. Once got to say Hold the front page. Own views, obvs.
Pinned
Humans, not heroes, are holding our NHS together — NHS Million
Government neglect and underfunding over the last ten years has contributed to a situation that is untenable and the actions of those in power continue to make working in the NHS extremely challenging...
www.nhsmillion.co.uk
I wrote this piece for @nhsmillion.bsky.social in 2022, but it's sadly still true.
"The only thing holding the NHS together is its staff who somehow manage to find that inner strength to come in and face the enormous challenges posed day after day after day"
www.nhsmillion.co.uk/blog/2022/1/...
"The only thing holding the NHS together is its staff who somehow manage to find that inner strength to come in and face the enormous challenges posed day after day after day"
www.nhsmillion.co.uk/blog/2022/1/...
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
Counterpoint: ALL staff in the NHS deserve fair pay and conditions, including resident doctors.
We have all suffered from the squeeze on salaries and a hike in living costs. Here, trade union members are trying to improve their working lives.
Don't pick fights with working people - tax the rich.
We have all suffered from the squeeze on salaries and a hike in living costs. Here, trade union members are trying to improve their working lives.
Don't pick fights with working people - tax the rich.
This week’s doctors’ strike is another test of Wes Streeting’s mettle. He is right not to buckle | Polly Toynbee
This week’s doctors’ strike is another test of Wes Streeting’s mettle. He is right not to buckle | Polly Toynbee
No one denies their deep grievances – but after seeing improvements and winning generous pay settlements, the BMA is overplaying its hand, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Counterpoint: ALL staff in the NHS deserve fair pay and conditions, including resident doctors.
We have all suffered from the squeeze on salaries and a hike in living costs. Here, trade union members are trying to improve their working lives.
Don't pick fights with working people - tax the rich.
We have all suffered from the squeeze on salaries and a hike in living costs. Here, trade union members are trying to improve their working lives.
Don't pick fights with working people - tax the rich.
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
Our Press officer @samanthajwathen.bsky.social said:
“Resident doctors and their union are not the enemy...Government cannot and should not be trying to fund a service by suppressing the wages of the very people keeping it afloat.”
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/wes-...
“Resident doctors and their union are not the enemy...Government cannot and should not be trying to fund a service by suppressing the wages of the very people keeping it afloat.”
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/wes-...
Wes Streeting berates doctor live on-air as five-day BMA strike begins
HEALTH SECRETARY Wes Streeting ranted on live radio today as thousands of resident doctors began their five-day strike in England.He unleashed a tirade on LBC after north London doctor Niraj told him ...
morningstaronline.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Our Press officer @samanthajwathen.bsky.social said:
“Resident doctors and their union are not the enemy...Government cannot and should not be trying to fund a service by suppressing the wages of the very people keeping it afloat.”
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/wes-...
“Resident doctors and their union are not the enemy...Government cannot and should not be trying to fund a service by suppressing the wages of the very people keeping it afloat.”
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/wes-...
Had my say here 💅
"Residents are asking for enough training places for them to apply for, and £22.50 per hour - not the moon on a stick.
Govt cannot and should not be trying to fund a service by suppressing the wages of the very people keeping it afloat.”
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/wes-...
"Residents are asking for enough training places for them to apply for, and £22.50 per hour - not the moon on a stick.
Govt cannot and should not be trying to fund a service by suppressing the wages of the very people keeping it afloat.”
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/wes-...
Wes Streeting berates doctor live on-air as five-day BMA strike begins
HEALTH SECRETARY Wes Streeting ranted on live radio today as thousands of resident doctors began their five-day strike in England.He unleashed a tirade on LBC after north London doctor Niraj told him ...
morningstaronline.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Had my say here 💅
"Residents are asking for enough training places for them to apply for, and £22.50 per hour - not the moon on a stick.
Govt cannot and should not be trying to fund a service by suppressing the wages of the very people keeping it afloat.”
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/wes-...
"Residents are asking for enough training places for them to apply for, and £22.50 per hour - not the moon on a stick.
Govt cannot and should not be trying to fund a service by suppressing the wages of the very people keeping it afloat.”
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/wes-...
This is actually really powerful.
We hear all the time about the amount of doctors leaving for better pay and conditions (fair play) but how many of us REALLY stop to consider the consequences?
If you think it's hard to get an appointment now - just you wait.
Stand with your Resident Doctors.
We hear all the time about the amount of doctors leaving for better pay and conditions (fair play) but how many of us REALLY stop to consider the consequences?
If you think it's hard to get an appointment now - just you wait.
Stand with your Resident Doctors.
Haunting words from Dr Susie who we spoke to earlier:
"A huge number are leaving. Conditions [in NZ/Oz] are better because their system isn't as crumbling as ours, but if they make a life there - why would they come back?"
Stand with your Resident Doctors. You'll miss them when they're gone.
"A huge number are leaving. Conditions [in NZ/Oz] are better because their system isn't as crumbling as ours, but if they make a life there - why would they come back?"
Stand with your Resident Doctors. You'll miss them when they're gone.
November 14, 2025 at 4:53 PM
This is actually really powerful.
We hear all the time about the amount of doctors leaving for better pay and conditions (fair play) but how many of us REALLY stop to consider the consequences?
If you think it's hard to get an appointment now - just you wait.
Stand with your Resident Doctors.
We hear all the time about the amount of doctors leaving for better pay and conditions (fair play) but how many of us REALLY stop to consider the consequences?
If you think it's hard to get an appointment now - just you wait.
Stand with your Resident Doctors.
Caller on Nicky Campbell show under a pseudonym ranting how Drs are greedy, the job isn't that hard, and they were well catered for with PPE during covid.
My mates bought their own gloves off Amazon.
Unsurprising she didn't want to put her real name to such utterly offensive, batshit b*llocks.
My mates bought their own gloves off Amazon.
Unsurprising she didn't want to put her real name to such utterly offensive, batshit b*llocks.
November 14, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Caller on Nicky Campbell show under a pseudonym ranting how Drs are greedy, the job isn't that hard, and they were well catered for with PPE during covid.
My mates bought their own gloves off Amazon.
Unsurprising she didn't want to put her real name to such utterly offensive, batshit b*llocks.
My mates bought their own gloves off Amazon.
Unsurprising she didn't want to put her real name to such utterly offensive, batshit b*llocks.
It's hard to sufficiently put into words the utter contempt routinely shown to NHS staff, how they're treated as expendable and how little their own needs matter; but this is a pretty good example.
I'm in a meeting with NHS staff who are told they have to limit their leave over winter because they can't be spared but are likely to be losing their jobs in Wes Streeting's NHS reorganisation.
November 14, 2025 at 12:10 PM
It's hard to sufficiently put into words the utter contempt routinely shown to NHS staff, how they're treated as expendable and how little their own needs matter; but this is a pretty good example.
During the last round of Resident doctor strikes, my 90 year old nan was in hospital.
She was forced to endure trolley waits and additional delays but still made a point of telling consultants on rounds that "government needed a good kick up the arse."
Bloody legend.
She was forced to endure trolley waits and additional delays but still made a point of telling consultants on rounds that "government needed a good kick up the arse."
Bloody legend.
November 14, 2025 at 11:41 AM
During the last round of Resident doctor strikes, my 90 year old nan was in hospital.
She was forced to endure trolley waits and additional delays but still made a point of telling consultants on rounds that "government needed a good kick up the arse."
Bloody legend.
She was forced to endure trolley waits and additional delays but still made a point of telling consultants on rounds that "government needed a good kick up the arse."
Bloody legend.
Resident doctors aren't greedy, and they're not militant.
It's just that after YEARS of being in an abusive relationship with government, they've finally recognised their worth.
It's just that after YEARS of being in an abusive relationship with government, they've finally recognised their worth.
November 14, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Resident doctors aren't greedy, and they're not militant.
It's just that after YEARS of being in an abusive relationship with government, they've finally recognised their worth.
It's just that after YEARS of being in an abusive relationship with government, they've finally recognised their worth.
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
Watching Labour MPs take a wrecking ball to nature makes me so angry & so sad. Their action tonight voting down amendments to the #PlanningBill intended to protect wildlife & habitats from destruction is so reckless & so counterproductive. People didn’t vote Labour for this 👇
Housing secretary tells Labour MPs to vote down planning bill amendment
Amendment restricts protection for animals to allow faster house building
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Watching Labour MPs take a wrecking ball to nature makes me so angry & so sad. Their action tonight voting down amendments to the #PlanningBill intended to protect wildlife & habitats from destruction is so reckless & so counterproductive. People didn’t vote Labour for this 👇
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
My NHS employer has just confirmed redundancies are coming. For the second time in my 16 year NHS career tens of thousands of NHS staff, many with decades of experience will be thrown on the scrap heap. Many worked on the frontline (including me) in the pandemic. This is Streeting's reward for us.
November 12, 2025 at 2:48 PM
My NHS employer has just confirmed redundancies are coming. For the second time in my 16 year NHS career tens of thousands of NHS staff, many with decades of experience will be thrown on the scrap heap. Many worked on the frontline (including me) in the pandemic. This is Streeting's reward for us.
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
Of all the devastating legacies of the Trump presidency, the undermining and defunding of efforts to understand, diagnose, treat and prevent deadly infections is going to be the worst one.
The Trump administration is dismantling efforts to fight the next pandemic
A retreat from investments in drugs and vaccines leaves U.S. less prepared for the next viral scourge, experts warn
www.science.org
November 13, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Of all the devastating legacies of the Trump presidency, the undermining and defunding of efforts to understand, diagnose, treat and prevent deadly infections is going to be the worst one.
I think this is the first time I've EVER heard a politician speak the unflinching truth like this instead of cowardly skirting round the issue.
In so doing, @zackpolanski.bsky.social speaks up for all those groups threatened by Trump's actions.
We need far more of this courage in politics.
In so doing, @zackpolanski.bsky.social speaks up for all those groups threatened by Trump's actions.
We need far more of this courage in politics.
Zack Polanski on President Trump, "It's difficult to call him anything other than a fool"
"This is sociopathic behaviour"
"He is toxic, misogynistic, racist"
"I'm not a fan of Trump"
Christiane Amanpour, "It's pretty clear"
"This is sociopathic behaviour"
"He is toxic, misogynistic, racist"
"I'm not a fan of Trump"
Christiane Amanpour, "It's pretty clear"
November 13, 2025 at 11:57 PM
I think this is the first time I've EVER heard a politician speak the unflinching truth like this instead of cowardly skirting round the issue.
In so doing, @zackpolanski.bsky.social speaks up for all those groups threatened by Trump's actions.
We need far more of this courage in politics.
In so doing, @zackpolanski.bsky.social speaks up for all those groups threatened by Trump's actions.
We need far more of this courage in politics.
I could bang on about the many ways he is wrong for waging war on Resident doctors and the contempt shown, for ages.
Instead, I'll just ask this:
Why, in the 6th richest world economy, is the doctor fighting to save your newborn's life not worth £22.50 an hour?
share.google/neGinSCocNit...
Instead, I'll just ask this:
Why, in the 6th richest world economy, is the doctor fighting to save your newborn's life not worth £22.50 an hour?
share.google/neGinSCocNit...
British Medical Association ‘threat to future of NHS’, says Streeting ahead of doctors’ strike
Health secretary accuses doctors’ union of ‘cartel-like behaviour’ and tells it to ‘get real’ over pay demands
share.google
November 13, 2025 at 8:48 PM
I could bang on about the many ways he is wrong for waging war on Resident doctors and the contempt shown, for ages.
Instead, I'll just ask this:
Why, in the 6th richest world economy, is the doctor fighting to save your newborn's life not worth £22.50 an hour?
share.google/neGinSCocNit...
Instead, I'll just ask this:
Why, in the 6th richest world economy, is the doctor fighting to save your newborn's life not worth £22.50 an hour?
share.google/neGinSCocNit...
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
Gratifying to be 1 of only 2 orgs credited by govt under the category of Frontline Worker Support - but we receive no govt funding.
We're proud to have helped a million workers since 2020.
Help us be there for even more by donating 👇
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-suppo...
www.gov.uk/guidance/cov...
We're proud to have helped a million workers since 2020.
Help us be there for even more by donating 👇
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-suppo...
www.gov.uk/guidance/cov...
COVID-19 Commemoration programme: help and support
Organisations who can support bereavement, mental health, long COVID, frontline workers and children.
www.gov.uk
November 13, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Gratifying to be 1 of only 2 orgs credited by govt under the category of Frontline Worker Support - but we receive no govt funding.
We're proud to have helped a million workers since 2020.
Help us be there for even more by donating 👇
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-suppo...
www.gov.uk/guidance/cov...
We're proud to have helped a million workers since 2020.
Help us be there for even more by donating 👇
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-suppo...
www.gov.uk/guidance/cov...
Damn right.
And yet govt have STILL decided to withdraw the Covid vaccine from frontline clinical staff this year.
This is monumentally stupid and negligent in the extreme.
No duty of care. No care at all.
Funny how quickly people forget the sacrifices that were made only a few short years ago.
And yet govt have STILL decided to withdraw the Covid vaccine from frontline clinical staff this year.
This is monumentally stupid and negligent in the extreme.
No duty of care. No care at all.
Funny how quickly people forget the sacrifices that were made only a few short years ago.
Alongside @bma.org.uk, we've written to the Secretary of State for Work & Pensions urging Long COVID and severe post Covid-19 complications be recognised as an industrial disease.
This change would ensure health and social care workers with Long COVID can access the financial support they need.
This change would ensure health and social care workers with Long COVID can access the financial support they need.
November 13, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Damn right.
And yet govt have STILL decided to withdraw the Covid vaccine from frontline clinical staff this year.
This is monumentally stupid and negligent in the extreme.
No duty of care. No care at all.
Funny how quickly people forget the sacrifices that were made only a few short years ago.
And yet govt have STILL decided to withdraw the Covid vaccine from frontline clinical staff this year.
This is monumentally stupid and negligent in the extreme.
No duty of care. No care at all.
Funny how quickly people forget the sacrifices that were made only a few short years ago.
Slightly less upset by this sacking!
I refused to work with him after he made fun of one of my frontline doctor colleagues live on air over a single misspoken stat, then encouraged all his knuckle-dragging followers on X to pile on him afterwards.
Vile man.
I refused to work with him after he made fun of one of my frontline doctor colleagues live on air over a single misspoken stat, then encouraged all his knuckle-dragging followers on X to pile on him afterwards.
Vile man.
November 13, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Slightly less upset by this sacking!
I refused to work with him after he made fun of one of my frontline doctor colleagues live on air over a single misspoken stat, then encouraged all his knuckle-dragging followers on X to pile on him afterwards.
Vile man.
I refused to work with him after he made fun of one of my frontline doctor colleagues live on air over a single misspoken stat, then encouraged all his knuckle-dragging followers on X to pile on him afterwards.
Vile man.
The redundancy process can be soul destroying for people and often hard to not take personally. The effect on mental health shouldn't be downplayed - let alone dismissed like this as if they're just an efficiency to be made.
This is a horrible way to treat people.
news.sky.com/story/thousa...
This is a horrible way to treat people.
news.sky.com/story/thousa...
Thousands of NHS staff to be made redundant after funding agreed
The government says the jobs will go in order to slash "unnecessary bureaucracy" and ensure taxpayers' money is being "spent wisely".
news.sky.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:27 AM
The redundancy process can be soul destroying for people and often hard to not take personally. The effect on mental health shouldn't be downplayed - let alone dismissed like this as if they're just an efficiency to be made.
This is a horrible way to treat people.
news.sky.com/story/thousa...
This is a horrible way to treat people.
news.sky.com/story/thousa...
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
So much for a duty of care to staff and consideration for people's mental health. I'm sure these 18,000 people are busy doing things - once this finishes they'll then find medical staff are spending all their time on paperwork instead of seeing patients.
November 13, 2025 at 10:21 AM
So much for a duty of care to staff and consideration for people's mental health. I'm sure these 18,000 people are busy doing things - once this finishes they'll then find medical staff are spending all their time on paperwork instead of seeing patients.
Even though govt have had 8 months since this process began, NHS staff who were threatened with redundancy yesterday won't know their fate til August next year.
Yes, you read that right.
I'm so done with how NHS staff are treated.
Yes, you read that right.
I'm so done with how NHS staff are treated.
November 13, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Even though govt have had 8 months since this process began, NHS staff who were threatened with redundancy yesterday won't know their fate til August next year.
Yes, you read that right.
I'm so done with how NHS staff are treated.
Yes, you read that right.
I'm so done with how NHS staff are treated.
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
How did those presenters keep a straight face
November 12, 2025 at 5:27 PM
How did those presenters keep a straight face
I find the glee here about making thousands of hard working NHS staff redundant - and simultaneously therefore ensuring that clinical staff's workloads are increased even further with administration tasks they didn't sign up for - both tone deaf and distasteful.
November 12, 2025 at 6:14 PM
I find the glee here about making thousands of hard working NHS staff redundant - and simultaneously therefore ensuring that clinical staff's workloads are increased even further with administration tasks they didn't sign up for - both tone deaf and distasteful.
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
I'm willing to bet a shiny pound coin they enjoyed putting that one up at the Beeb
November 12, 2025 at 3:02 PM
I'm willing to bet a shiny pound coin they enjoyed putting that one up at the Beeb
Funny how there's no extra money for winter planning, but when it comes to sacking frontline clinical staff (yes, you did read that right - it's not JUST admin) they can suddenly find the cash.
Oh, and we ALREADY have 100,000 vacancies.
Utter, utter madness.
www.lbc.co.uk/article/nhs-...
Oh, and we ALREADY have 100,000 vacancies.
Utter, utter madness.
www.lbc.co.uk/article/nhs-...
Thousands of NHS staff face redundancy after £1 billion cost package approved | LBC
The reforms will slash “unnecessary bureaucracy” and raise £1 billion a year by the end of the Parliament to improve services for patients, according to the Department of Health.
www.lbc.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Funny how there's no extra money for winter planning, but when it comes to sacking frontline clinical staff (yes, you did read that right - it's not JUST admin) they can suddenly find the cash.
Oh, and we ALREADY have 100,000 vacancies.
Utter, utter madness.
www.lbc.co.uk/article/nhs-...
Oh, and we ALREADY have 100,000 vacancies.
Utter, utter madness.
www.lbc.co.uk/article/nhs-...
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
It's incredible that the story in the headlines today, about Wes Streeting is not that he has finally agreed with the treasury how he is going to sack tens of thousands of nurses at massive expense to the NHS.
news.sky.com/story/thousa...
news.sky.com/story/thousa...
Thousands of NHS staff to be made redundant after funding agreed
The government says the jobs will go in order to slash "unnecessary bureaucracy" and ensure taxpayers' money is being "spent wisely".
news.sky.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:18 AM
It's incredible that the story in the headlines today, about Wes Streeting is not that he has finally agreed with the treasury how he is going to sack tens of thousands of nurses at massive expense to the NHS.
news.sky.com/story/thousa...
news.sky.com/story/thousa...
Lobbying is life 💙
November 11, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Lobbying is life 💙