The session, which was the second following an initial meeting in December 2020, was organised to tell MPs about the challenges nursing staff are facing and to give MPs insight to use in their work in Parliament.
South East London MPs who joined the session were Florence Eshalomi, MP for Vauxhall; Abena Oppong-Asare, MP for Erith and Thamesmead; Bell Ribeiro-Addy, MP for Streatham; and Vicky Foxcroft, MP for Lewisham, Deptford.
Several members spoke about the chronic problem of “working overtime and not getting paid for it”. Cuts to social care and the consequences it is having on health services, including bed blocking and community care provision, was also a feature. Recruitment challenges, specifically within hospice care, was highlighted as a significant challenge.
All members agreed that they felt like the nursing profession is no longer valued but instead taken for granted. One member asked MPs to “listen to our distress” and called on them to use the experiences they heard from members to "raise our voice" in Parliament.
Members also highlighted the need for more investment in nursing to encourage and keep nurses in the profession.
The MPs thanked members for sharing their stories and for the work they do every day. Florence Eshalomi, MP for Vauxhall, said she has seen an increase in constituents contacting her who work in healthcare about affordability issues, especially housing.
Abena Oppong-Asare, MP for Erith and Thamesmead, spoke about work she is doing to look at the experiences of staff from a Black, Asian, and minority ethnic background who worked during the pandemic. It follows concerns that have been raised with her office. Finally, urging members not to give up, Vicky Foxcroft, MP for Lewisham and Deptford, told members to “use your voice” and that “we are listening”.
Wrapping up the session, Vanessa Anthony, joint Chair of Outer South East London branch, and a general practice nurse, said:
“Nursing staff should not be struggling financially, yet we are. We should not be working overtime and not getting paid for it, but we do because we care for our patients. Shifts should not be chronically understaffed, but the reality is many are, putting more pressure and stress on already overburdened staff.
"We want to make sure that when MPs stand up and speak for us in Parliament, they are armed with our experiences and know the realities of what it’s like to be a nurse right now.
"Our discussion tonight can’t be a one-off. We need to work together as a community to make sure our voice is heard loud and clear.”
