Coronavirus: Why applause for the NHS should become a national day of remembrance – Jim Duffy

The spirit of the Thursday night #clapforNHS can change this country for the better after the Covid-19 crisis is over, writes Jim Duffy.

Residents in Kinnaird, Falkirk, come to their doors, windows and balconies to applaud the hard work and dedication of the NHS during the Covid-19 coronavirus crisis (Picture: Michael Gillen)

So the Queen has weighed in and I for one feel a bit better. Listening to Her Majesty made me feel a bit patriotic and a tad emotional. But, she hit the notes just right to make me feel optimistic.

The former chief medical officer for Scotland is exactly that – gone. And while I debated with myself for hours on her potential demise, I decided that it was a mistake and she should be allowed to carry on and not be persecuted. But, while I cogitated, the pressure grew and either she or the First Minister capitulated and threw in the towel.

And now President Trump has found his first “scalp’ to divert attention from his woeful performance – the World Health Organisation. And I hear Roger Daltrey is far from impressed. Boris Johnson hit the hospital and the nation was shaken again. How could this happen?

But, as the lockdown continues, we now thank the NHS staff and care staff by applauding them all on Thursday nights. Thank goodness there is something wholesome to applaud – for now.

The world is about to hit a massive recession. Do not think for one minute that all this stimulus, 80 per cent wages paid and money to charities is cash from a big safe that the Chancellor has in his office. No, it is debt and this debt is mounting up. With this recession – or, as some commentators are quietly and rightly calling it, “depression” – will come the bill. There is no such thing as a free lunch.

But, how to pay this bill, which will be billions and billions of pounds, is now being planned somewhere in Whitehall. And they have two choices. TThe first choice is austerity again, a process where the likes of the NHS is decimated. Or the second choice is they can build, invest and innovate. Now, here is where chancellors, finance secretaries, first ministers and prime ministers need to listen and listen good. It’s all about the NHS.

And let’s build out a new nation, a new United Kingdom, a new Scotland by celebrating and commemorating the NHS. Here is the fulcrum upon which to build out a better society and a more positive long-term balance sheet. Here is my blueprint for the next decade of growth and a better sense of “together”.

The backbone of the nation

First up, we commemorate wars, so let’s commemorate this one. This whole episode has been likened to a war. From Churchillian utterances by Boris Johnson to calls for the nation to unite behind one cause, it feels like we have battened down the hatches. There is a sense of oneness. We all want to come out of this free again and dance in the streets.

But, lest we forget, I say now is the time to set a day in the calendar every year to celebrate and commemorate our medical and health staff. A new Bank Holiday, where NHS and care staff are remembered as being the backbone of this nation. Perhaps, we now take our Thursday night applause and formalise this into a day of remembrance. And with that comes investment and Scotland should lead the way.

The slightest hint at cuts to any NHS operation when we are free of Covid-19 could start a national backlash. So, any minister out there should be listening hard to this one. Pile money into these good folks. Make the NHS the best and then even better. Grow it, nurture it and build it out again as world-leading and world-class.

From there will come a great opportunity to strengthen social fabrics and unite a nation around one great entity they can be proud of. With this investment, up the game. Science, research, planning and training must be invigorated. Build out our true heroes. Doctors, nurses and NHS staff should be getting awards from the Queen, not celebrity chefs and well paid ex-footballers. Here is where we as a nation can rightly and properly hang our hats and grow.

Human-centred policies

And with this focus, better policy decision-making will follow. Never mind the distraction of white noise, political ‘Spads’ and ‘idea-generators’ like Dominic Cummings. Just focus on human-centred policies that build out the country. From hospitals to better prisons to transport to housing. Invest in all of this and people will be impressed. It will create jobs and taxes. It will add huge benefits to the long-term future of the country. Health, well-being and a system that cares for the elderly. Yes, and the population of this group of people, who have suffered most, is rising. They, more than ever, will have a voice.

But, one thing in all of this must be catered for. For a better society, there has to be a better distribution of wealth. It will take time and nothing is built overnight. Or so we are told. What we have seen literally being built in a matter of weeks is genuine respect and trust for those who care for us and our loved ones.

No more falling at the feet of billionaires, offering them tea at No 10 or Bute House. We have to recalibrate society to take proper cognisance of the real heroes in society. We have an impetus building around the NHS and care sectors. Now is the time First Minister and Prime Minister to capitalise on this using it as the platform to build out a better economy. Let’s face it, so far it hasn’t worked all that well.

As I applauded last night, the magnitude of what these people are doing sunk it. Let’s not forget this moment and make it an annual celebration.