As a nation we are all so grateful and proud of our NHS.

Now this is more poignant than ever.

During the pandemic and beyond, NHS workers have repeatedly put themselves on the frontline and demonstrated how invaluable they are to everyone in our society.

Some of them have even died for us. We owe them everything. 

However, I’ve discovered that every year in December, NHS workers have to pay to attend their OWN Christmas parties. 

Does this make them feel appreciated? I doubt it. 

NHS workers have to purchase a ticket to attend the event or they are not invited. This ticket price, often costing around £50, sometimes doesn’t even include a drink.

Many are unable to attend due to the ticket cost and therefore go without any Christmas celebration with their colleagues. 

Imagine a Nurse going to the Christmas party only to discover some of their colleagues weren’t there - simply because they couldn’t afford it. 

While private companies spend fortunes on huge events often with unlimited food & drinks, NHS workers fit the bill for the ‘privilege’ of attending their parties.

Many have suffered from consistent low wages and capped pay increases for many years. It’s a kick in the teeth to make them PAY from their OWN wages to attend the event. Not to mention the extortionate travel costs that often go hand in hand with these events (an Uber at peak time from a random golf club in the middle of nowhere is not cheap!). 

Surely we should be taking the opportunity as a nation at Christmas each year to say THANK YOU, we TRULY appreciate you. Being appreciated is one of the most important human needs and now more than ever, we are realising as a nation the sacrifice the NHS workers make for us year in, year out.

Christmas is a difficult time financially and NHS workers should be able to attend a Christmas party without worrying about covering the cost. They should feel celebrated. 

We owe it to them.

My request is simple. Please let’s stop charging the NHS workers to celebrate all their hard work each year and lets provide them with Christmas parties they can all attend.

That's all I'm asking.

I understand that various Hospital Trusts around the UK organise the various Christmas events for staff and I propose that our nation covers the cost an entry ticket, a meal and a drink for ALL workers who wish to attend. 

I understand that funding the NHS parties is an expensive ask but making our NHS staff feel appreciated is an important act. What kind of nation do we want to be? If we are truly grateful for them, it shouldn’t be a difficult decision. Acts like this define us as a nation. 

I petition that it is not reasonable to charge the NHS workforce to attend a Christmas work do. Other companies use Christmas as an opportunity to treat their employees and make them feel appreciated. As a nation we should be proud to do the same. Once a year, NHS workers should be able to let their hair down and truly feel the love and support from the nation without having to pay for it out of their own pockets. 

I understand that various Hospital Trusts around the UK organise the various Christmas events and so I propose that at the very least, our nation covers the cost of an entry ticket, a meal and a drink for ALL workers who wish to attend. 

Mr. Hancock, Mr. Sunak, Mr. Johnson, if you really are as grateful as you say you are to the staff of our NHS, as grateful as the people of the UK truly are, then please introduce this gesture from our nation to our beloved NHS. 

If you think my petition is a big ask, then please consider it for at least this coming Christmas 2020 as a thank you for our NHS workforce after this National Emergency.

You can always reintroduce the event ticket fees when you are no longer grateful for their service.