As the son of a GP and a pharmacist I vow to protect the NHS, says Rishi at Sun’s Who Cares Wins awards
RISHI Sunak vowed to protect the NHS throughout a tough winter in a personal speech drawing on his own upbringing.
He promised “record funding” to the health service, which is battling rising waiting lists, staff shortages and the ongoing Covid backlog.
The PM said: “I know the NHS faces huge challenges in the coming months.
“That’s why the government is investing record funding into the NHS and social care so that it can continue making a real difference to people’s lives. And as Prime Minister, I can tell you I will always prioritise the NHS and its brilliant staff.”
Who Cares Wins 2022
THE Sun’s Who Cares Wins awards will celebrate our dedicated healthcare workers in a glitzy ceremony hosted by the one and only Davina McCall.
It will be screened on Channel 4 and All 4 on November 27 at 6.30pm and these are the categories your health heroes could be in with a chance of winning:
Best Doctor – an NHS doctor – GP, hospital doctor or consultant
Best Midwife – an NHS midwife who has provided great care for a woman or her baby
Best Team – any NHS or healthcare team on the frontline and behind the scenes that has gone above and beyond the call of duty
Best Nurse – an NHS nurse in any field
Best Health Charity – For a charity that has helped change lives
Unsung Hero – For someone who deserves to be recognised and celebrated for their work helping others
Young Hero – For youngsters that have gone above and beyond. Open to anyone under the age of 18
Mental Health Hero – For significant contribution to mental health
999 Hero – For teams and individuals that have stepped up in a crisis
Visit The Sun’s Who Cares Wins awards page for all the latest awards news, interviews and red carpet photos.
The government has promised an extra £3.3 billion in each of the next two years, while £4.7 billion will go into social care.
Some experts have warned this is not enough to take the NHS off “crisis footing.”
READ MORE ON NHS CRISIS
But drawing on his personal experiences, Mr Sunak promised he would continue to prioritise the health service.
He told the National Lottery-sponsored awards: “As the son of a GP and a community pharmacist, I grew up watching people caring for others.
“That same care, that same desire to serve is amplified many times over across the UK, in GP practices, in pharmacies, in A&E departments, in hospitals, and health centres in the community.
“So on behalf of the entire country let me say an enormous thank you to healthcare heroes of every kind.”
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Mr Sunak presented the award for 999 hero to a team of heroes who saved the life of a schoolgirl who suffered a cardiac arrest, including passersby the Sadler family who called for help, and paramedics from East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) and Magpas Air Ambulance
Later, he met Daisy Webb, 14, from Huntingdon, Cambs, whose life was saved.
He said: “Hard-working NHS staff save lives day in, day out. It’s amazing Daisy is here to tell the tale.”