With adult social care crumbling, and the NHS on the brink of collapse, many are worried whether they’ll be cared for in later life. Our story about an elderly couple being left at home with filthy bandages for almost a week does little to soothe those fears.
Elderly Borough couple left in agony as their ‘filthy’ bandages were left unchanged for a week
Guys’ and St Thomas’ Hospital nurses went on strike earlier this month and this appears to be one of the knock-on effects. Nurses warned the government this would happen if it didn’t improve pay and conditions. But, as of yet, there is no sign of a revised pay offer.
Despite the physical agony they’ve had to endure, the couple are still in favour of the strikes. Their steadfast support for nurses suggests the government’s demonisation of public sector workers isn’t working.
‘On the breadline’: Emergency workers strike outside Waterloo Ambulance Station
The couple in question spent their working lives serving the community as a council cleaner and caretaker. They grafted hard and paid their taxes on the proviso that, when they became old, they would also be cared for.
By failing to invest in the NHS and pay nurses enough to retain staff, the UK government has breached that most basic social contract. The plight of this couple is a depressing symbol of that betrayal.