Samantha Wathen
@samanthajwathen.bsky.social
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.
Pinned
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
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/...
"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/...
Watching the Royal Ballet perform The Nutcracker 😁
Bucket list ✅ 🩰
Bucket list ✅ 🩰
November 22, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Watching the Royal Ballet perform The Nutcracker 😁
Bucket list ✅ 🩰
Bucket list ✅ 🩰
The rage is real.
🚨 At least 23k unnecessarily deaths
🚨 Health & care staff left unprotected while they made £££s
🚨 A "protective ring" thrown around care homes
🚨 Govt parties during lockdown
Now this admission...
I'm just gonna leave this insult of a non-apology from Nadine Dorries here.
🚨 At least 23k unnecessarily deaths
🚨 Health & care staff left unprotected while they made £££s
🚨 A "protective ring" thrown around care homes
🚨 Govt parties during lockdown
Now this admission...
I'm just gonna leave this insult of a non-apology from Nadine Dorries here.
November 21, 2025 at 4:26 PM
The rage is real.
🚨 At least 23k unnecessarily deaths
🚨 Health & care staff left unprotected while they made £££s
🚨 A "protective ring" thrown around care homes
🚨 Govt parties during lockdown
Now this admission...
I'm just gonna leave this insult of a non-apology from Nadine Dorries here.
🚨 At least 23k unnecessarily deaths
🚨 Health & care staff left unprotected while they made £££s
🚨 A "protective ring" thrown around care homes
🚨 Govt parties during lockdown
Now this admission...
I'm just gonna leave this insult of a non-apology from Nadine Dorries here.
Nadine Dorries:
"It’s just rewriting history, it’s with hindsight. I’m not sure the evidence is there to back up those claims that 23,000 people died because of that week’s delay. I think that just sounds to me not right.”
Honestly woman, learn some humility.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
"It’s just rewriting history, it’s with hindsight. I’m not sure the evidence is there to back up those claims that 23,000 people died because of that week’s delay. I think that just sounds to me not right.”
Honestly woman, learn some humility.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Boris Johnson could face legal action over pandemic failings after damning report
Nadine Dorries and Michael Gove have led attempts to undermine the damning report by Heather Hallett after it found inaction by Boris Johnson’s government may have cost 23,000 people their lives
www.independent.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Nadine Dorries:
"It’s just rewriting history, it’s with hindsight. I’m not sure the evidence is there to back up those claims that 23,000 people died because of that week’s delay. I think that just sounds to me not right.”
Honestly woman, learn some humility.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
"It’s just rewriting history, it’s with hindsight. I’m not sure the evidence is there to back up those claims that 23,000 people died because of that week’s delay. I think that just sounds to me not right.”
Honestly woman, learn some humility.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
"Hands up if you caused 23,000 extra deaths by being a dithering incompetent twat"
November 20, 2025 at 7:15 PM
"Hands up if you caused 23,000 extra deaths by being a dithering incompetent twat"
Looking forward to hosting workshops at this event on how patients & NHS staff can work with the press and Media to affect change.
Don't miss our FREE Primary Care conference happening next Saturday (29th) in London.
Hear from leading GPs, patients & campaigners and attend exciting workshops that will equip you with the tools to make a difference in your local area.
Register here 👇
keepournhspublic.com/event/primar...
Hear from leading GPs, patients & campaigners and attend exciting workshops that will equip you with the tools to make a difference in your local area.
Register here 👇
keepournhspublic.com/event/primar...
November 21, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Looking forward to hosting workshops at this event on how patients & NHS staff can work with the press and Media to affect change.
Inquiry has no powers of prosecution, there is no justice - and no fairness.
They'll carry on with speaking tours and book deals while tens of thousands continue to mourn.
Anger doesn't touch the sides tbh.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
They'll carry on with speaking tours and book deals while tens of thousands continue to mourn.
Anger doesn't touch the sides tbh.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
‘Chaotic and indecisive’: key findings of report on UK’s Covid response under Tories
Second pandemic report focuses on decision-making, organisation and messaging by senior politicians including Boris Johnson
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Inquiry has no powers of prosecution, there is no justice - and no fairness.
They'll carry on with speaking tours and book deals while tens of thousands continue to mourn.
Anger doesn't touch the sides tbh.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
They'll carry on with speaking tours and book deals while tens of thousands continue to mourn.
Anger doesn't touch the sides tbh.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Sat in a healthcare safety network meeting atm hearing how govt knew from the get-go that Covid was airborne but played it down in case there was panic buying of masks which would leave (even) less for healthcare workers.
We truly did have the worst possible govt at the worst possible time.
We truly did have the worst possible govt at the worst possible time.
November 21, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Sat in a healthcare safety network meeting atm hearing how govt knew from the get-go that Covid was airborne but played it down in case there was panic buying of masks which would leave (even) less for healthcare workers.
We truly did have the worst possible govt at the worst possible time.
We truly did have the worst possible govt at the worst possible time.
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
During the height of the pandemic, when govt refused to engage, we held our own People's Covid Inquiry chaired by Michael Mansfield KC.
Today's official findings strongly reflect our own conclusions.
We're proud to have provided those affected with a voice Report here: share.google/ue4cWZieszT8...
Today's official findings strongly reflect our own conclusions.
We're proud to have provided those affected with a voice Report here: share.google/ue4cWZieszT8...
Inquiry report | PeoplesCovidInquiry
share.google
November 20, 2025 at 6:13 PM
During the height of the pandemic, when govt refused to engage, we held our own People's Covid Inquiry chaired by Michael Mansfield KC.
Today's official findings strongly reflect our own conclusions.
We're proud to have provided those affected with a voice Report here: share.google/ue4cWZieszT8...
Today's official findings strongly reflect our own conclusions.
We're proud to have provided those affected with a voice Report here: share.google/ue4cWZieszT8...
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
Our co-chair @drtonyosullivan.bsky.social speaks now at our Migrants Not To Blame event about who's REALLY to blame for the NHS crisis and years of austerity.
Spoiler - it's not migrants.
Spoiler - it's not migrants.
November 20, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Our co-chair @drtonyosullivan.bsky.social speaks now at our Migrants Not To Blame event about who's REALLY to blame for the NHS crisis and years of austerity.
Spoiler - it's not migrants.
Spoiler - it's not migrants.
Single most successful coverage event I've had as press officer @keepournhspublic.bsky.social was presenting our findings from The People's Covid Inquiry - chaired by Michael Mansfield KC.
They reflected what was officially found today. Neither inquiry has the power to prosecute. Mores the pity.
They reflected what was officially found today. Neither inquiry has the power to prosecute. Mores the pity.
November 20, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Single most successful coverage event I've had as press officer @keepournhspublic.bsky.social was presenting our findings from The People's Covid Inquiry - chaired by Michael Mansfield KC.
They reflected what was officially found today. Neither inquiry has the power to prosecute. Mores the pity.
They reflected what was officially found today. Neither inquiry has the power to prosecute. Mores the pity.
A very important piece which also adds further weight to the background of why Residents are involved in industrial action.
Fundamentally, the NHS is exploiting staff in a whole host of different ways. It's not only about pay.
Fundamentally, the NHS is exploiting staff in a whole host of different ways. It's not only about pay.
A new #BMJInvestigation finds that thousands of locally employed doctors are trapped in insecure NHS contracts with no access to training, career progression, or national safeguards.
Experts warn that the NHS is effectively “behaving like a gig economy employer”
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
Experts warn that the NHS is effectively “behaving like a gig economy employer”
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
November 20, 2025 at 2:37 PM
A very important piece which also adds further weight to the background of why Residents are involved in industrial action.
Fundamentally, the NHS is exploiting staff in a whole host of different ways. It's not only about pay.
Fundamentally, the NHS is exploiting staff in a whole host of different ways. It's not only about pay.
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
On #InternationalMensDay we want to shout out to all our male NHS staff and the amazing work they do!
Currently only c13% of our clients identify as male - we want to change this. There's no stigma in seeking counselling and our self-referral process is completely confidential 👉 frontline19.com
Currently only c13% of our clients identify as male - we want to change this. There's no stigma in seeking counselling and our self-referral process is completely confidential 👉 frontline19.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:07 PM
On #InternationalMensDay we want to shout out to all our male NHS staff and the amazing work they do!
Currently only c13% of our clients identify as male - we want to change this. There's no stigma in seeking counselling and our self-referral process is completely confidential 👉 frontline19.com
Currently only c13% of our clients identify as male - we want to change this. There's no stigma in seeking counselling and our self-referral process is completely confidential 👉 frontline19.com
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
NHS failing to cut waiting times as promised in recovery plan.
Bad inheritance from 14 yrs of Tory rule.
Not helped by another reorganization costing billions, low staff morale.
Billions wasted through PFI, privatisations. Govt planning more of the same, leaves less for frontline services.
Bad inheritance from 14 yrs of Tory rule.
Not helped by another reorganization costing billions, low staff morale.
Billions wasted through PFI, privatisations. Govt planning more of the same, leaves less for frontline services.
NHS failing to cut waiting times as promised in recovery plan, report warns
Public accounts committee finds Labour’s progress ‘appears to have stalled’ despite billions of pounds in investment
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:54 AM
NHS failing to cut waiting times as promised in recovery plan.
Bad inheritance from 14 yrs of Tory rule.
Not helped by another reorganization costing billions, low staff morale.
Billions wasted through PFI, privatisations. Govt planning more of the same, leaves less for frontline services.
Bad inheritance from 14 yrs of Tory rule.
Not helped by another reorganization costing billions, low staff morale.
Billions wasted through PFI, privatisations. Govt planning more of the same, leaves less for frontline services.
Yep. That'll happen when instead of funding emergency and social care, winter planning and fully settling pay disputes - govt ploughs ahead with costly and unnecessary reform and further investment in the private sector - all without an impact report.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
NHS failing to cut waiting times as promised in recovery plan, report warns
Public accounts committee finds Labour’s progress ‘appears to have stalled’ despite billions of pounds in investment
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Yep. That'll happen when instead of funding emergency and social care, winter planning and fully settling pay disputes - govt ploughs ahead with costly and unnecessary reform and further investment in the private sector - all without an impact report.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the wee donkey.
Some genuinely good news.
Please let there be a 45-min long interview room unravelling.
Everything out there is horrible; just give us this one thing, Jed.
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
Please let there be a 45-min long interview room unravelling.
Everything out there is horrible; just give us this one thing, Jed.
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
‘The job of a lifetime’: Line of Duty to return for seventh season
The hit BBC crime drama is coming back to screens for the first time since its record-breaking 2021 finale
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the wee donkey.
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
At its core, this doctor’s strike is a fight to ensure patients have access to an NHS doctor right now and well into the future. Thank you to @jordanrivera.bsky.social and the Homerton Unison team for their support yesterday. It was great to be home.
#SOSNHS #DoctorsStrike #PayRestoration
#SOSNHS #DoctorsStrike #PayRestoration
November 18, 2025 at 9:01 PM
At its core, this doctor’s strike is a fight to ensure patients have access to an NHS doctor right now and well into the future. Thank you to @jordanrivera.bsky.social and the Homerton Unison team for their support yesterday. It was great to be home.
#SOSNHS #DoctorsStrike #PayRestoration
#SOSNHS #DoctorsStrike #PayRestoration
It's beyond ridiculous how in the 6th richest world economy, a Labour govt would rather smear and berate hardworking doctors than pay them £22.50 an hour in order to retain a functioning health service.
Make it make sense.
Make it make sense.
November 18, 2025 at 8:12 PM
It's beyond ridiculous how in the 6th richest world economy, a Labour govt would rather smear and berate hardworking doctors than pay them £22.50 an hour in order to retain a functioning health service.
Make it make sense.
Make it make sense.
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
We spoke to Resident Doctor, Jon, about why he's striking now.
He retrained later in life at great expense - and now may be left without a job to go to.
" I don't think investment in the NHS should be paid for by suppressing the wages of the people who work for it."
youtu.be/y_o0lmKGKzg
He retrained later in life at great expense - and now may be left without a job to go to.
" I don't think investment in the NHS should be paid for by suppressing the wages of the people who work for it."
youtu.be/y_o0lmKGKzg
Interview with striking Resident Doctor
YouTube video by Keep Our NHS Public
youtu.be
November 18, 2025 at 4:35 PM
We spoke to Resident Doctor, Jon, about why he's striking now.
He retrained later in life at great expense - and now may be left without a job to go to.
" I don't think investment in the NHS should be paid for by suppressing the wages of the people who work for it."
youtu.be/y_o0lmKGKzg
He retrained later in life at great expense - and now may be left without a job to go to.
" I don't think investment in the NHS should be paid for by suppressing the wages of the people who work for it."
youtu.be/y_o0lmKGKzg
Just wondering at what point we're going to say, "hold on a minute lads, maybe this has gone a bit too far now."
Hopefully it's while we still have a health service left.
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/reco...
Hopefully it's while we still have a health service left.
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/reco...
Record number of nurses suffering nightmares and panic attacks due to understaffing, RCN poll finds
NURSES are suffering nightmares and panic attacks due to understaffing in the NHS, a poll has revealed.Workforce shortages are forcing many to keep working while ill, leaving them “broken” by stress, ...
morningstaronline.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Just wondering at what point we're going to say, "hold on a minute lads, maybe this has gone a bit too far now."
Hopefully it's while we still have a health service left.
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/reco...
Hopefully it's while we still have a health service left.
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/reco...
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
We just CANNOT keep turning a blind eye to the intense and relentless pressure our nurses and other frontline staff are under.
NHS staff cannot care for the nation if the system is breaking them in the process.
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/reco...
NHS staff cannot care for the nation if the system is breaking them in the process.
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/reco...
Record number of nurses suffering nightmares and panic attacks due to understaffing, RCN poll finds
NURSES are suffering nightmares and panic attacks due to understaffing in the NHS, a poll has revealed.Workforce shortages are forcing many to keep working while ill, leaving them “broken” by stress, ...
morningstaronline.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 5:19 PM
We just CANNOT keep turning a blind eye to the intense and relentless pressure our nurses and other frontline staff are under.
NHS staff cannot care for the nation if the system is breaking them in the process.
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/reco...
NHS staff cannot care for the nation if the system is breaking them in the process.
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/reco...
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
This morning I played the Brahms Lullaby on ‘Broadcasting House’ on BBC Radio 4. Wishing everyone, everywhere calmer, more peaceful times.
November 16, 2025 at 5:24 PM
This morning I played the Brahms Lullaby on ‘Broadcasting House’ on BBC Radio 4. Wishing everyone, everywhere calmer, more peaceful times.
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
Genuinely delighted to download a PhD thesis from a university repository where the author has neglected to remove the words "BITCH THIS IS YOUR THESIS" from the filename.
October 30, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Genuinely delighted to download a PhD thesis from a university repository where the author has neglected to remove the words "BITCH THIS IS YOUR THESIS" from the filename.
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
When someone's in distress, don't go straight to something 'positive' or trying to make it better.
Hear where someone's at, take the time, 'be with'. Be willing to stay with the real discomfort- what a difference this makes, rather than reaching for the temporary relief of a superficial solution.
Hear where someone's at, take the time, 'be with'. Be willing to stay with the real discomfort- what a difference this makes, rather than reaching for the temporary relief of a superficial solution.
November 16, 2025 at 9:36 AM
When someone's in distress, don't go straight to something 'positive' or trying to make it better.
Hear where someone's at, take the time, 'be with'. Be willing to stay with the real discomfort- what a difference this makes, rather than reaching for the temporary relief of a superficial solution.
Hear where someone's at, take the time, 'be with'. Be willing to stay with the real discomfort- what a difference this makes, rather than reaching for the temporary relief of a superficial solution.
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
Counterpoint: ALL staff in the NHS deserve fair pay and conditions, including resident doctors.
We have all suffered from the squeeze on salaries and a hike in living costs. Here, trade union members are trying to improve their working lives.
Don't pick fights with working people - tax the rich.
We have all suffered from the squeeze on salaries and a hike in living costs. Here, trade union members are trying to improve their working lives.
Don't pick fights with working people - tax the rich.
This week’s doctors’ strike is another test of Wes Streeting’s mettle. He is right not to buckle | Polly Toynbee
This week’s doctors’ strike is another test of Wes Streeting’s mettle. He is right not to buckle | Polly Toynbee
No one denies their deep grievances – but after seeing improvements and winning generous pay settlements, the BMA is overplaying its hand, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Counterpoint: ALL staff in the NHS deserve fair pay and conditions, including resident doctors.
We have all suffered from the squeeze on salaries and a hike in living costs. Here, trade union members are trying to improve their working lives.
Don't pick fights with working people - tax the rich.
We have all suffered from the squeeze on salaries and a hike in living costs. Here, trade union members are trying to improve their working lives.
Don't pick fights with working people - tax the rich.