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Samantha Wathen

@samanthajwathen.bsky.social

5.1K followers 650 following 680 posts

Press/Media Officer for Keep Our NHS Public and Operations for Frontline19. Occasional bylines on the NHS. Passionate about mental health support for HCPs. Once got to say Hold the front page. Own views, obvs.

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Samantha Wathen @samanthajwathen.bsky.social · Dec 1

I wrote this piece for @nhsmillion.bsky.social in 2022, but it's sadly still true.

"The only thing holding the NHS together is its staff who somehow manage to find that inner strength to come in and face the enormous challenges posed day after day after day"
www.nhsmillion.co.uk/blog/2022/1/...

Humans, not heroes, are holding our NHS together — NHS Million

Government neglect and underfunding over the last ten years has contributed to a situation that is untenable and the actions of those in power continue to make working in the NHS extremely challenging...

www.nhsmillion.co.uk

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Samantha Wathen @samanthajwathen.bsky.social · 1h

What is going on? Does he want everyone to die of a preventable disease?? I just don't understand it.

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Cindy Jurie @cindyjurie.bsky.social · 1h

It’s not making America healthy again if they’re doing away with the MMWR team.

These are the folks that help keep us safe by sharing early alerts re disease spread,

Of all the asininely stupid health moves to make, this one gets the prize.

SARS‑CoV‑2 (COVID-19) @covid19disease.bsky.social · 2h

BREAKING: A Friday night massacre is reportedly underway at the CDC. Dozens of “disease detectives,” senior scientists, the entire Washington staff, and editors of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) have been RIFed and issued termination notices.

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Samantha Wathen @samanthajwathen.bsky.social · 6h

Ooh, I had one of those! Had forgotten!

Samantha Wathen @samanthajwathen.bsky.social · 7h

The words politicians use matter, and they have an affect.

NHS staff are real people with real feelings and we desperately need them.

Sad that - especially after Covid - this still needs pointing out.

Shame on those that bully instead of taking the time to understand the situation properly.

Dr Steve Taylor @drstevetaylor.bsky.social · 23h

In 30years I have never been this upset with the words coming out of Government

This includes a plethora of Tory Health Secretaries

I am not part of BMA leadership

I am just a GP who gives up his time freely to advocate for patients, the NHS & make sure the facts are correct

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Samantha Wathen @samanthajwathen.bsky.social · 19h

Ah, my old friends at the IEA.
A particular career highlight will always be calling them out in an op-ed that went viral - then being featured in their report.

Well done @zackpolanski.bsky.social for calling them out. Common sense wins again, and this time I really think the public are listening.

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Frontline19 @frontline19.bsky.social · 22h

URGENT APPEAL on #WorldMentalHealthDay2025

We've supported a million frontline workers, helping save at least 77 from suicide. Our funds are very low & we urgently need your help to meet rising demand this winter.

Please consider donating to our Crowdfunder
👇
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-suppo...

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Samantha Wathen @samanthajwathen.bsky.social · 22h

I'm SO proud of what we've achieved @frontline19.bsky.social, and the numbers often floor me.

1M workers supported & at least 77 saved from suicide with our help, but we urgently need funds to meet the rising demand.

Can you support our NHS staff this season?
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-suppo...

Help support NHS Staff this Winter: Urgent Appeal

We have supported NHS staff with their mental health for nearly 6 years - but we urgently need your help to meet the rising demand.

www.crowdfunder.co.uk

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Cat Hobbs @cathobbs.bsky.social · 1d

We Own It is hiring!

⭐Operations Lead, 2.5 days a week, to keep our organisation running smoothly

⭐Communications and Campaign Support, 3 days a week, to get the message out and support campaigns

Join our team and win public services for people not profit! ✊

weownit.org.uk/about-us/vac...

Work with us

weownit.org.uk

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The BMA @bma.org.uk · 1d

Did you know?

Our free and confidential 24/7 counselling line and peer support service are open to all UK doctors and medical students.

On #WorldMentalHealthDay, share this information with your friends and colleagues across medicine. @bmawellbeing.bsky.social
www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-s...

Wellbeing support services
Counselling
Peer support
0330 123 1245

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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 1d

‼️NEW: Universities have tried to axe over 15,000 staff this year.

Yet the vice-chancellors responsible are paying themselves more than ever before.

We’re balloting to save higher education.

Our GS @drjogrady.bsky.social broke the story on BBC Today this morning👇

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Frontline19 @frontline19.bsky.social · 1d

Today on #WorldMentalHealthDay we mark a pivotal step forward in our mission to support the mental health of the UK’s healthcare workforce.

We are proud to announce a new partnership with The Laura Hyde Foundation, backed by a significant grant to strengthen and expand our vital services.🧵 #WMHD

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Samantha Wathen @samanthajwathen.bsky.social · 2d

Young poster boys and girls for the Tory future - including one who advocated for sibling incest and wanted to lower the age of consent - but wouldn't say to what number.

Why are they always so odd?

www.thetimes.com/article/8c9a...

Meet the young Tories dreaming of a bright blue future

The Conservatives know they have a problem with Gen Z voters. At the party conference, The Times met a new breed of activists who are embracing the challenge

www.thetimes.com

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Samantha Wathen @samanthajwathen.bsky.social · 2d

Proud - in nearly a decade of being a press officer for a national campaign - to have always turned down requests from these people.

Declining Jacob Rees-Mogg was a particular career highlight.

Stop Funding Hate @stopfundinghate.bsky.social · 3d

Amid a global misinformation crisis, where toxic messages can spread to millions within hours, Britain urgently needs a regulator that is willing and able to act robustly & with speed.

Ofcom seems painfully ill-equipped to do the job it has been tasked with /9 www.heraldscotland.com/news/2478423...

GB News accused of operating 'anti-Muslim hate channel'

Former First Minister Humza Yousaf has been cited in a report which accuses GB News of running an 'anti-Muslim hate channel'

www.heraldscotland.com

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Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 3d

Nearly 3000 new members in the 24 hours since the Party Political Broadcast.

Extraordinary.

Hope is returning. 💚🚀

Join.greenparty.org.uk

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Samantha Wathen @samanthajwathen.bsky.social · 3d

I've said it before and I'll say it again. It's mindboggling how a leading UK uni with hundreds of millions of £ in reserve has axed whole depts and made world experts redundant whilst opening a site in (checks notes) Kazakhstan, paying to fly their remaining staff in & out.

Batsh*t isn't the word

Cardiff UCU @cardiffucu.bsky.social · 3d

Cardiff University Kazakhstan featuring on BBC Wales Today, with contribution from Cardiff UCU's @llantwit.bsky.social

Reposted by Samantha Wathen

Helen Salisbury @helensalisbury.bsky.social · 4d

According to Wes Streeting, GPs are less convenient than hairdressers.
My latest on why goodwill has drained away as we try to provide a safe & equitable service in the teeth of a gale of nonsense from NHS England & the govt.
bmj.com/cgi/content/...

Helen Salisbury: GPs versus hairdressers? Streeting has no idea

The row about online access to GP services continues.1 In April it was agreed that GPs would keep online portals open in their core hours, but a six month delay was put in place. This was so that NHS ...

bmj.com

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Samantha Wathen @samanthajwathen.bsky.social · 6d

No actual way

Samantha Wathen @samanthajwathen.bsky.social · 6d

Shocking absolutely that we've come to this and conditions must urgently change for the sake of all concerned. BUT empathy hasn't disappeared.

We are dealing not with a lack of compassion but - in some cases - with the debilitating effect of burnout on frontline staff. There's a big difference.

NationCymru @nation.cymru · 6d

When empathy disappears from emergency care, what remains? Retired doctor Rajan Madhok shares a harrowing account from the front lines of an NHS in crisis

Do not cry for us: But do something to fix the NHS

Rajan Madhok You would not wish it on your worst enemy, let alone your friends or fellow human beings. Yet, it goes on, and it is ‘normal’. Let me explain. I took my friend for an urgent CT scan to…

buff.ly

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Samantha Wathen @samanthajwathen.bsky.social · 6d

This lady tho.

Samantha Wathen @samanthajwathen.bsky.social · 7d

Literally the only plus point politics-wise these days is that these grifters are now basically irrelevant.

The Guardian @theguardian.com · 7d

Conservatives would take UK out of ECHR, Badenoch confirms

Leader says move is is necessary ‘to protect our borders, our veterans and our citizens’ Kemi Badenoch has announced that a Conservative government under her leadership would pull the UK out of the European convention on human rights. The move marks a lurch to the right for the Tories, who are attempting to stem a loss of support to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. Farage has long been a critic of the ECHR and has pledged to leave it if he becomes prime minister. Continue reading...

www.theguardian.com

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 9d

Today we are sharing the story of James Samuel Risien Russell (1863 – 1939) - a renowned neurologist, acclaimed professor, & one of the first Black British consultants.

Read our blog for more on his life & career
👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/blog/james-s...

#BlackHistoryMonth @rcphysicians.bsky.social

Black and white photo portrait of James Risien Russell with short dark hair and a moustache.
Image courtesy of the Queen Square Archives ©National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery

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Caroline Lucas @carolinelucas.bsky.social · 9d

Tory party’s long journey away from science, reason, responsibility, common sense and truth is complete

Kemi Badenoch vows to repeal Climate Change Act

Tory leader says she would replace it with ‘cheap energy’ strategy, ending decades-long consensus on climate

www.theguardian.com

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Nurse Suicide Project @nurse-suicide.bsky.social · 9d

Do you have something that you would like to say about #NurseSuicide in #WomenNurses
We have room for you and your ideas on our #Blog. We welcome a wide range of voices and formats.
Look at our past blogs here: www.nursesuicidestudy.com/blog
Contact us here: www.nursesuicidestudy.com/blog
#NurseSky

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MHScot Workplace Wellbeing CIC @mentalhealthscot.land · 10d

Managers - you’re the bridge between policy and practice. You might not write the wellbeing policy, but how you lead shapes the culture.
Check in: Can people speak up? Are workloads fair? Does wellbeing matter here?
A policy without people-focused leadership is just a PDF.
WorkplaceWellbeing