The other day I watched The NHS Hero Awards, and yes I did cry, it most definitely wasn’t allergies. If you didn’t watch it, try and catch it on the ITV hub, as it should be seen. It’s an awards show honouring the NHS staff and dozens of volunteers who work tirelessly at the heart of communities to provide one of the best health systems in the world. The show awards recipients in 11 categories voted for by the public.
The awards show brought to you by ITV and the Mirror, was a star-studded affair with royalty too, celebrating 70 amazing years of a national health service that should be praised so much more than it should. Many people, including me had our heart strings tugged as stories from the UK’s most devastating events took place and the amazing courage shown by NHS staff who helped.
Many took to Twitter to praise the NHS Heroes Awards, hosted by Paul O’Grady, and the meaning behind it.
One viewer wrote: “#NHSHeroesAwards time for the hankies… So proud to work for such an amazing organisation!”
While another added: “I just know I’m going to cry at the #NHSHeroesAwards.”
One worthy award winner, was emergency medical technician Dan Farnworth arrived at a scene that changed his life – a child who had been abused was critically unwell and his team had to act fast. Dan was so traumatised by the scene he witnessed, he struggled to work and sleep due to nightmares of the incident. This is the thing, they are our knights in shining armour but we immediately assume because they wear uniform and get on with all different types of events, witnessing horrors and more, that they wouldn’t be impacted by traumatic events and poor mental health. As Dan said “But it’s uniform, not a suit of armour.” Initially afraid to ask for help, he contacted his friend and colleague Rich Morton, who replied within minutes: “I’m on my way round, put the kettle on.” This visit marked the start of recovery for Dan: “Rich helped me understand that it’s okay to feel like this. I already knew what I had to do, but needed someone to help me along the way to seek support.”
He spent a total of five months off work and attended counselling following a diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He calls it “post traumatic resilience” however, adding: ”It’s made me a stronger person, a better clinician at work and makes me want to help others.”
If you’re need to watch anything this month, definitely check it out. It’s worth viewing, pulls on those heart strings and it really gives you an overwhelming sense of appreciation as to how bloody lucky we are as a nation to have these true heroes in our lives.
Missy, Me & Him 