OPINION: The NHS is being overwhelmed - and this is a moment to be angry.
There was something extremely stark about this footage of North West Ambulance Service medical director Chris Grant standing out on a freezing December night, pleading for the public’s help.
“We need to keep our phone lines free. So please, only call us back if you no longer need our help or if your own condition has gotten significantly worse," he urged. And for months we have heard that the capacity in social care is so poor that healthy patients are left languishing in hospital beds. A friend of mine, whose little girl has suffered severe allergies, is always on high alert for a reaction. In reality, she would jump in the car and rush her to hospital if something happened - but not everybody has that luxury.
But now there is a huge sense of vulnerability. We know that, despite the best efforts of NHS staff, the emergency care we need may not be there on time. They are being let down too and their morale - already fragile two winters ago - must be at rock bottom.
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