Dr Roshana Mehdian
Chair of the Healthcare Workers’ Foundation and Trauma and Orthopaedic Registrar Surgeon
As the population grows older and faces more complex health issues, demands on healthcare services and NHS teams will increase.
We may hear about the need to address infrastructure, rebuild crumbling buildings and develop more streamlined systems. What about the often-overlooked healthcare workers who are unseen but integral to keeping the NHS running?
Staff essential to the NHS
We are describing the often-overlooked lower-paid staff members, such as healthcare assistants, porters, cleaners, healthcare assistants and other essential workers. These individuals play a crucial role in the day-to-day operations of hospitals and care facilities, ensuring patient comfort and the smooth functioning of healthcare services.
Despite their indispensable contributions, they often face financial struggles, job insecurity and lack of recognition. These are the team members who face many of the same infection risks, long hours and challenging workplaces. Yet, they do so often without thanks or anywhere near the same support.
These individuals play a crucial role in the day-to-day operations of hospitals and care facilities.
Recognising and supporting healthcare workers
As the demand for healthcare services increases, particularly in light of an ageing population and the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the pressure on these workers will only grow. It is imperative that we prioritise their wellbeing and security and provide them with the necessary support to thrive in their roles.
Many of these workers are not only underpaid but also live paycheck to paycheck, leaving them vulnerable to crises like rising living costs, housing insecurity or unexpected emergencies. Yet, without them, our health service would grind to a halt — often the people last thought of but critical to care.
Investing in wellbeing for resilience
Charities like ours are stepping up to bridge this gap by offering financial assistance and mental health support to these lower-paid healthcare workers. However, systemic change is required to ensure these individuals have even a fraction of the support, opportunities and recognition that other parts of our NHS teams do.
Investing in the wellbeing of our lower-paid healthcare staff is not just a moral imperative; it is a necessary step to build a resilient and sustainable healthcare system for the future.
The Healthcare Workers’ Foundation is a charity created for, and led by, healthcare workers.
To find out more, visit healthcareworkersfoundation.org
