BY RYAN FLETCHER Terror attacks show true heroism of all our NHS staff


In aftermath of the Manchester terror attack that killed 23 adults and children and injured 250 at an Ariana Grande concert on May 22, NHS staff at Salford Royal Hospital mobilised to help the survivors.


Although there is no such thing as a “normal day at work” in a hospital, clinical psychologist Dr Kathryn Lloyd- Williams knew as she started her shift in the hours after the atrocity how difficult the task ahead would be.


Kathryn is one of a number of Unite NHS members who selflessly worked through the horror of the recent terror attacks in London and Manchester.


“I specialise in renal patients so it wasn’t really my domain,” explained Kathryn, who provided psychological support for patients, the families of victims on the critical care ward and staff.


“But when I went in it was a case of ‘all hands on deck’. It was very traumatic for everyone involved. You’re in shock but there’s a part of you that switches into professional mode and sees beyond the chaos and the injuries.”


During the hours and days after the attack, Kathryn’s role emphasised psychological first aid, which includes containing people’s distress, making them feel safe and providing a sense of stability and structure.


Despite the pressure and trauma heaped on staff, Kathryn described the “unity, camaraderie and compassion” of those working to help the victims.


In fact, the solidarity and resilience demonstrated by nearly all the city’s inhabitants made Kathryn “proud to be a Mancunian”.


Just days after the devastating events in Manchester, and with the country still in shock, London was hit with its second terror attack in as many months. On June 3 at London Bridge three criminals killed eight and injured 48.


Recovery nurse and Unite rep David Carr was on shift at nearby St Thomas’ Hospital when the victims began to be brought in.


Tragically, one of the dead was a nurse at


the hospital, 28-year-old Kirsty Boden, who died after running towards the danger to help others caught up in the atrocity. “It was a horrific attack and traumatising in itself,” said David.


‘Traumatised’ “But Kirsty being killed was devastating. We had a whole group of staff that had to carry on working normally and provide a service that were traumatised. It had a stunning effect on the whole trust.”


Like their colleagues in Manchester, however, the staff of St Thomas’ and its sister hospital Guy’s could not allow themselves to be distracted from their roles.


“It shakes you, it traumatises you, but then you just have to get on with it,” David said. “We haven’t got a choice, though the Trust has bent over backwards to help anyone who has been affected.


“The day after the London Bridge attack there was a normal surgery list in the unit where Kirsty worked so we carried on exactly as we would have done. Although the staff were under tremendous pressure no one got their operations cancelled.”


Despite the NHS “taking a kicking” from the Conservatives over the last seven years, David said the entire staff at both Guy’s and St Thomas’ “know they’ve got the ability to deliver the service that is required at the time of something as significant as the incidents that occurred at London Bridge or Westminster Bridge.”


Guy’s chaplain and Unite workplace rep Rev William Sharpe, who provided support to staff members of all faiths and beliefs, as well as people who do not have a particular religious belief, in the aftermath of the attacks, also commented on how the staff of the Guy’s and St Thomas’ Trust pulled together as one.


“People were just getting over the attack on Westminster when the London Bridge attack happened. Despite the fact that people were grieving and in pain, the morale was very high in terms of getting the job done,” said William.


“Right from the very top through to the 21 uniteWORKS Summer 2017


porters there was coordination and everybody performed their role well. That the patients come first is sunk right through the very core of the Trust.” In the end, said William, the attacks had resulted in the opposite of their intended effect.


“It brought the whole Trust together. We were able to support one another and are looking for forward to exercising the Trust’s values and doing our work effectively,” he said. “There was a similar sense of unity across London.”


Unite national officer for health Sarah Carpenter praised the dedication of all those involved in helping after the attacks. “Our members – along with all the other NHS and emergency services staff involved in the aftermath of these horrific events – did a fantastic job in the face of the most difficult circumstances,” she said.


“They demonstrate that the NHS relies on the hard work of all its’ staff to function and that every health service employee has a vital role to play. Without them the NHS – struggling under years of cut backs – would be unable to react in such an immediate and effective fashion to major emergencies.”


But Sarah added that despite demonstrating their worth every day, the government is refusing to give NHS staff the pay rise they need and deserve.


“Unfortunately the Prime Minister’s praise of the health workers after the attacks did not amount to anything else but words,” she said.


“Despite public disquiet, staunch opposition from Labour and growing dissent even from within the ranks of her own party, Theresa May is refusing to scrap the one per cent pay freeze for public sector workers – including cash- strapped NHS staff.


“There have been reports of the Tories reversing the cap for certain professions to stem growing criticism. This is just not good enough. After seven years of below inflation wages and worsening conditions, it’s essential that every single health worker gets a proper pay rise.”


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