29 April 2020
Vara pays tribute to NHS staff for the emotional support they give to the families of those who are ill

Speaking in the House of Commons, Shailesh Vara pays tribute to NHS staff for not only caring for those who are ill, but also the wonderful emotional support they give to their loved ones.

Mr Shailesh Vara (North West Cambridgeshire) (Con)

May I join in the congratulations to the Prime Minister and Carrie Symonds on the birth of their son? I was recently speaking with a lady who, very sadly, lost her husband in hospital to covid-19. She spoke of the fantastic care given to her husband by the NHS staff, but she also spoke of the incredible support she and her family received from those same NHS workers. Will my right hon. Friend join me in congratulating NHS staff not only on caring for those who are ill, but on the wonderful support they give to their loved ones? [902030]

Dominic Raab

First, may I pass on my very deepest condolences to the widow in my hon Friend’s constituency? I, along with other Ministers, have the grim task of reading out the total death toll at the press conferences, and I always walk away ashen-faced at what this must mean for individual families up and down the country. He is right to pay tribute to those in the NHS, who are doing an amazing job, and I think all of us across the House paid tribute to them and the care workers, particularly with our minute’s silence yesterday. My hon. Friend is absolutely right also to say that they are not just there to treat the physical condition, whether coronavirus or otherwise; they do an amazing job as providers of emotional support for patients and their families, and that is too easily overlooked as we come through this crisis.

Hansard

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