Dear Jeremy…

 

Dear Jeremy,

As a student nurse, it is my duty to tell people that you are destroying the NHS.

I love every single moment of what I do. Nursing is my calling but I feel that because of you, I may not be able to fulfil that calling to the best of my ability. For too long you have been making the NHS weaker and weaker, taking it away bit by bit till one day (and I dread to think is) the National Health service will be no more.

On my placements, I am given the privilege of looking after amazing people who need help getting better. I have had the privilege of working in some amazing hospitals that go above and beyond to look after their patients, but no matter what hospital I am in I notice the same problems occurring again and again. Lack of staff, patients discharge being delayed due to the lack of social care and are placements available and lack of beds. It breaks my heart when I see a medically fit patient who just wants to go home but can’t because they have no package of social care in place.

So how did you think the best way to deal with the lack of staff was? Cut the bursary and grant for new nursing students. So, would you describe the fact that nursing applications for undergraduate university courses have done by 23% a success? The only way I can afford to pay my rent and living expenses on whilst I work 37.5 hours a week on placement, is because of my bursary and grant. For far too long you have been saying there is just no money for NHS, and yet there was still enough money for MPs to get an 11% pay rise and failed to fine people who avoid paying a little bit of tax on their earnings and you froze nursing pay rises to 1%. The Liberal Democrats solution of introducing a 1p tax to help fund the NHS is one of the best ideas I have ever heard, and will give the NHS the money it needs.

Mental health is something you just like to sweep under the carpet. I was on the CAMHS waiting list for eight months before I got to see someone, but I have known people who have been waiting longer. Not good enough Jeremy, in a world where 1 in 4 of us will suffer from a mental health problem sometime in our life. I was just very fortunate to have a GP who offered to see me once a week until I could get a CAMHS appointment, but many people are not fortunate enough to get that and have to suffer in silence. Does your Tory government really take mental health seriously? I think not.

There have been days on placement where I have cried because I feel like I can’t do the best for my patients with limited resources available. When patients have had to wait longer then necessary for basically personal care such as washes because of the lack of staffing. I very rarely leave a shift dead on time as I have to make sure I have done every job I am assigned to before a shift ends. Operations being cancelled is starting to become the norm and this is not acceptable. GP classing three weeks waiting time for an appointment as the norm and we just accept this when we shouldn’t.

What’s the thing that makes me angry the most about your government? I have never filled with so much rage until Theresa May failed the answer the question when Andrew Marr asked her how she could justify nurses having to go to food banks to support their family. Nurses pay doesn’t reflect the skill and ability you need to be a nurse. Nursing is a lot more than just floating around wards holding patient’s hands. We have to do personal care, observations, medications and a lot of paperwork.

We need someone who is going to fight for the NHS, and quite frankly Jeremy you are not in the slightest the right person for the job. I couldn’t think of anymore more caring about the NHS than Norman Lamb. He has the right and sensible ideas on how to get funding for the NHS, he appreciates the amazing work and NHS staff do and most importantly, he takes mental health seriously. You could learn a hell of a lot from Norman, Jeremy.

I love my profession with all my heart. I love the feeling of seeing a patient that I helped care for over their time In hospital leave with a smile on their face happy and healthy, with one patient I cared for even writing on their feedback form “This student will make a first class nurse!” I never want to be in the position where I fear that I will have to give up my profession because of your selfish government. I stand with my fellow nurses in saying, more needs to be done before It is too late.  Aneurin Bevan would be ashamed of you.

Hopefully one day you will wake up and realise, you really have screwed it up.

Yours sincerely

A very angry student nurse

 

 

Life as a student nurse: The good, the bad and the damn right rewarding

Let me take you back to when my journey to becoming a student nurse began. In February 2016  I received an offer from the University of Southampton to study Adult nursing BN. What was my reaction? Very, very excited. So in September 2016 when my offer had become unconditional, my life as a student nurse had begun.

Now, I know what you must be thinking “She hasn’t been doing this for very long.” but let me tell you, in my first five months I have experienced a lot. A lot of different emotions that all student nurses will experience throughout their training.  Happiness, sadness, tiredness and most of all satisfaction that I have chosen one of the most rewarding careers in the world.  I am very fortunate that I was the last intake to have their degree funded for and giving a bursary by the NHS. Otherwise I would have found myself not being able to afford to got to university.

So after freshers week had well and truly finished, the hard work began.  If you are thinking of going into nursing and think a nursing degree is an easy ride, think again. Within the first month I learnt very quickly how much hard work and commitment is needed in theory as well as practice.

If you have the motivation to self learn, then you will find that learning nursing theory becomes a lot easier. Never go in with the attitude “I only need 40% to pass” always think “What can I do to make sure that my theory, has the same high standard as my practice.” If you think that, you will be an amazing nurse.

Within the first few months I had already felt like I couldn’t do this, that i’m not good enough to be a nurse. Many crying sessions had happened with my best friend because I felt like I was really struggling with the health science module. But then I remembered something, the reason why I want to be a nurse, I want to make a difference and say I’ve done something with my life that has benefited others.

In November came the moment every student nurse on my course had been looking forward to since freshers week. The collection of our uniform. This is the moment for me when it started to feel so real. That my two years of hard work at college had led to that moment, that I had rightfully earned my uniform and the title of student nurse.

If I could give just one piece of advice to a future student nurse, it would be use the support around you. Admitting that you’re finding things a little bit difficult is ok. Whether  it’s finding you are having problems with dealing with the workload or emotionally. Your personal and academic tutor is always there to help you and give you advice. From someone who is absolutely terrified for asking for help as I feel it shows me as weak, seeing my tutor was the best thing I ever did, as it stopped me from dropping out and she managed to get me the support I needed.

So by January the first term had come and gone and people were coming back from the   Christmas holidays. Which could only mean one thing, January exams were coming. Within the first term we had managed to cram the whole of the bodies systems into different lectures and seminars, and did I feel prepared for the health sciences exam? Not in the slightest. Revising four months worth of theory is a matter of weeks proved incredibly challenging. A lot of crying had taken place during these weeks, as well as constant trips to Mcdonalds to grab myself a Mcflurry to try and get me through the long days and nights of revision.

Then the day of the exam had arrived. Despite the long nights of revision, again did I feel prepared for this exam? Not a chance in hell.  So after nearly having a panic attack before going into the exam, I calmed myself down and continued with the exam. How did I feel when I came out? Well, when you come out crying  you properly think it didn’t go well. But a few days later when I checked my university email, I had one email I really didn’t want to open, my results. When I finally got the courage to open the email, I was looking at the word that I thought I would never see PASSED.

With January exams now over and a few nights celebrating my exam result at Popworld , it was time to prepare for the next very exciting adventure, practice placement 1.

So the night before placement beings is all very exciting. You iron your uniform out and set your alarm so you can get up super early to get ready. Also making sure your bag is all packed with the nursing essential such as a stethoscope, a bottle of water and lots of pens.

Feet hurt? feeling tired after a long shift? Welcome to life in the NHS. But trust me, the feet hurting and the feeling tired after a long day is all worth when it when you go home  knowing you have done at least one thing to make a patient feel more comfortable.

Now, I’ve only just finished my first week of placement, but with the amount I’ve learnt in such a short space of time, it feels like I’ve been there for a long time.

Being out on placement is very different from being in university and practising your skills such as taking observations on your fellow students. Now you have to use your skills on real life patients.

On my second day on the ward however, it was very busy and the ward was understaffed due to sickness. I felt so lost and didn’t know what to do as all the health care assistants were rushed off their feet and I couldn’t do much to help as i’m only a first year student on her first ever placement. So after finishing my shift and feeling exhausted, all I felt I could do was cry as I felt I had been useless. And I said to myself “That’s it I can’t do this anymore!”

So the next day I went and spoke to one of the sister on the ward and she was one of the most amazing people I have ever spoken to. She said to me that it is ok to cry as it shows that nurses are human as well.  She also said to remember that it is my first ever placement and that I am doing really well. As well as that I am great in actually showing that I care about patients which is the main thing that a nurse needs to do. In that moment I knew that I had made the right decision to go into nursing. Another piece of advice to fellow student nurses, use your mentors. If you feel like you are struggling with anything on placement, they are the first person you should go to and they are always willing to help. Their job is to help you become the best nurse you can be and to get the most for your placement. What will the next week of placement bring? Who knows. But am I now enjoying placement? Very much so!

So, if you think a career in nursing if for you but are being put off by the struggles that the NHS is currently facing, don’t be. Despite feeling tired a lot and sometimes crying, would I pick another career to do? Never in a million years.

The beginning, the middle and the end!

So this month marks a year and a half of my membership with the Liberal Democrats. Whats it been like? Absolutely incredible.

My experiences within the Lib Dems has not only grown me as a person, but also socially.

When I first joined back in April 2015 I joined with a vision. I wanted to do everything I can to help our country be liberal. I wanted to do what the Lib Dems had done for me. To help people.

Since April 2015, my life has been filled with many experiences that I will treasure forever. And I finally met the man (Chris Huhne) who I had been dreaming to meet for years to say thank you for what he had done for my family whilst he was our Lib  Dem MP.

I have grown as a person by publicly speaking in front of over 1,000 people at the 2015 Autumn conference. I have become the vice-president of my Lib  Dem society at my university and Eastleighs social media officer.

However. I always knew right for the moment I sent off my membership form that my time in politics wouldn’t last forever. At the start I had dreamt of one day becoming the MP for Eastleigh or at least being on the council.

But times have changed and that is not what I desire anymore I want my only focus to be to become the nurse I can. So in October 2019 when  I graduate as a fully qualified nurse. I will be resigning my membership of the Liberal Democrats and retiring from politics. 

After I graduate, I want my main focus to continue to develop my career as a nurse and within the speciality of gynaecology oncology. It has my dream ever since I was a little girl to become a nurse and I feel I wouldn’t be able to be the best nurse I can be if I also dedicated my time to politics.

But for now, the time I have left in politics and within the Liberal Democrats I want to make sure I have the best time possible. I will be attending as many conferences as humanly possible, to  make sure the Lib Dem society at my university continues to be successful and build more friendships with people.

When I do leave, I will look back on my time in politics as an honour and never regret doing what i’ve done. I just hope I would have made some sort of a positive difference.

 

Dreams can come true

One thing I’ve always been told is “Never meet your heroes. They will just disappoint you!” and many people never have the chance to meet them. However, last night I met my hero. Former MP for Eastleigh and energy secretary Mr Chris Huhne, and I was far from let down.

For many of you who have read my blog or know me personally,  will know that this man is the reason I joined the Liberal Democrats. Because of his dedication in helping my family on two occasions and to Eastleigh. I always hoped that one day I would be able to meet him in person to thank him for his dedication but never thought I would get the chance.

Well, at the 2016 Liberal Democrat autumn conference, I did just that. When I heard that he was talking at a fringe event Sunday evening, the fan girl within me freaked out. Suddenly I thought “This is it, I can finally thank him!”.

When he walked through the door I thought I would freeze with nervousness at the prospect of speaking to him. Then all of sudden I was introduced to Chris by a friend of his,  I must say, he is one of the nicest politicians I have ever met.

I told him my story of the occasions in which he helped my family, that he was the reason I joined the party and without his inspiration, I wouldn’t  be where I am today within party. He seemed interested  in hearing my story and was very kind when I asked for a photo with him.

After he had given his talk about the environmental impact that Brexit will have. I went up to him and asked him if he would signed my copy of “The green book: New directions for liberal in government.” In which Chris writes about green growth within the economy and that going green has to be fair. And he did.

Both chapters are very well written and very enjoyable to read.

I then lastly said to Chris “It was very to finally lovely to met you!” and he said “It was very nice to meet you to!” I think that was the part that made my day the most and I went off as one very happy person.

Meeting Chris was the highlight of my Autumn conference experience and one moment I will never forget.

Since joining the Liberal Democrats I was elected to become part of the Liberal Youth policy committee. Also, within my first year becoming Eastleighs social media executive and also Eastleighs Liberal Youth representative.

But not just that. My confidence has flourished and my fear of public speaking eradicated as well as making many amazing friends.

Without this mans inspiration, none of my experiences within the Liberal Democrats would have been possible. For that I am forever grateful.

 

If you would like to read in more depth about how Chris helped my family and any past articles I have written about Chris work, please click the link below to my pass articles.

 

Why I joined the Liberal Democrats

The Green Deal: “Cutting carbon is not a luxury to be ditched when the going gets tough!”

REVIEW: Chris Huhnes appearance on BBC This Week

 

 

 

The EU referendum: My experience

In the early hours on the 24th June 2016, I was sitting at my count in Eastleigh waiting for our results to be announced for the Borough. Worrying that the result for our country and our future was not the one I was hoping for.

Not long after 10pm, the ballot boxes began to arrive and the counting of the votes began. As my role as a counting agent I stood there watching the votes being unfolded and I started to see what I saw as a worrying pattern. Leave, leave, remain, leave. And as the counting went on I saw this same pattern again and again.

Then at 3:30am on Friday 24th June 2016, The Eastleigh Borough  results were announced and that 52.5% of people who had voted in the Borough, wanted to LEAVE the European union. At this point in time as well I was starting to hear results from all around the country. And as dawn broke I woke up to the news that I really didn’t want to hear. Britain had voted to LEAVE the EU and that David Cameron had announced his resignation as prime minister.

At that point in time when I heard the news  I felt a mixture of emotions (anger, sadness, confusion)but most of all, heartbreak! Heartbreak because I knew that this result, would have a big impact on my generation and the many generations that are yet to come.

During the weeks leading up I campaigned as much as I could with the Eastleigh Liberal Democrats because I had (and still have) the strong belief that Britain in better off within the EU.

I believed this for a number of reasons such as the freedom of movement within EU countries which meant as a student nurse I would have the chance to study freely within EU countries if I so desired. As well as access to free health care within EU countries, the many different types of rights we got from the EU, as well as well movement of trade with EU countries.

Whilst I was out door knocking, leafleting or helping out of Stronger IN stalls I met a very different variety of people with all different types of stories from how they have benefited from us being to EU, to being shouted at and even had a door slammed in my face by leave voters. However i’ll never forgot the two loveliest leave voters I met at my count, who didn’t rub it in our faces that we lost, they showed us respect and dignity, which is what all people within politics should show to each other, no matter what their opinion.

I’ll also never forget when I was helping out on the stall at Eastleigh Market and I was explaining to an undecided voter, my reasons for why I think we should stay within the EU. Not only had I managed to convince him to vote remain, but he also said to me “You know, we need more young people like you to get involved and take an interest in politics. You my dear are a breath of fresh air!”

Remain campaigners  we should not forgot all our efforts and hard work over the many weeks we campaigned. We did our best, and we can be proud of that.

But now we must leave and try and move on as a nation and as people! The challenges that are ahead are ones we must face together! We will not let this defeat us. We are British, and we can be proud of how far we have come.

 

 

My first year

As of the 14th April 2016 I have officially been a member of the Liberal Democrats for one whole year. And did I renew my membership? Of course I did! It’s safe to say it has been an eventful and rewarding year.

So much has happened in the past twelve months that has made me realised that the Liberal Democrats is where I belong.

One of the highlights of my first year is that I have had the privileged of attending two federal conferences. Autumn 2015 and Spring 2016. It is fair to say that conference is an absolutely blast. At my very first conference I spoke in the general election review, this was a very rewarding yet terrifying experience. However the positive feedback I received afterwords from fellow members made all those nerves worth while. It also gave me the chance to meet many people who I had spoken to on twitter and may have gone a bit crazy on the spending in the conference shop.This is also where I met the leader himself Tim Farron, he is one of the nicest and down to earth people I have ever met. It was great to talk to him.

Spring 2016 also taught me what conference on a shoe string really meant, with spending most of the money I had in Wetherspoons. However it was still one hell of a weekend (despite the limited funds I had left after!) Spring was also the closest I had even been to meeting Nick Clegg, and even getting a photo with his back (close enough). It was also the first chance I had voting for policy which made the whole weekend even more rewarding. I look forward to Autumn 2016.

The biggest achievement in my first year as a member has to be within only six months of becoming a member and thinking that nobody knew who I was, I was elected to become part of the policy committee within the Liberal Youth. Holding this position has been an amazing experience for me and I’m so lucky to be working with such an amazing policy officer.

Locally (Eastleigh) as well I have been helping out in elections as much as I can. The first ever election I helped out in was the by-election in  Chandlers Ford in October 2015. This was the first time that I had ever been canvassing which I really enjoyed.It was also where I was given my first ever Liberal Democrat rosette by ex Eastleigh MP Mike Thornton. I now wear this rosette every time I go canvassing.

I have also been helping out in the recent local election. On Wednesday 27th April I went canvassing with the leader himself (Tim Farron) in Bishopstoke with my local party and even got to knock a few doors with him. On Saturday I did my first ever round of delivery. This was a very interesting experience with me learning a few things; 1. A dog may bite your fingers off (as one was very close to biting me) 2. Take your headphones, your going to need them. I look forwarding to casting my first ever vote on May 5th, for the Liberal Democrats of course!

I hope to increase my involvement within my local party more in the upcoming months.

But despite all the politics, I have made a great deal of  friends. Many who I shared a drink, or two with at conference.And some I talk to on a regular basis

Without the party I would have never met one my dearest friends, Callum Littlemore who I always have to send a photo of my conference outfits for approval. Thank you Callum for being the most amazing liberal friend a girl could ask for.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who have made me feel so welcome and supported me throughout my first twelve and a half months of being a member.

I can not wait to see what the next twelve months hold. But I know it will be an adventure!

 

An update!

Hi Guys,

Sorry for the lack of updates on my blog recently. I have just been so busy with my current studies. However I would still love to continue to write articles for this blog however they may not be as frequent than they use to be. As my studies is my number one priority.

I was however in early October elected in the Liberal Youth election to become part of their policy committee alongside a lovely bunch of people who I am very much enjoying working with and am looking forward to continuing with my term on the committee.

I promise I will start writing again soon.

Hannah

Autumn conference 2015: What it has all been about for me

So the Autumn conference has been and gone. And I had the most amazing two days. It was a privileged to meet to many Liberal Democrats like myself  who share the same views and passion for liberal values. Was also an amazing honour to have a few members approach me to say to say how much they enjoy reading my blog.

Never did I think in a million years would I have the confidence to stand up in front of hundreds of people and deliver my speech in the 2015 Election review. It was a terrifying but rewarding experience with many people coming up to me to say how well they think I did, even though I was absolutely terrified and thought I did really badly! With even Paddy Ashdown complementing on how well I did.

I even spoke in the policy session in the beginning of conference saying about how we should engage with members who want to vote and become involved in the policy making process  my using social media. But also how we could use online voting to allow members who are unable to make it to federal conference the opportunity to vote on Liberal Democrat polices.

During Saturday evening who came up to me to say hello? It was only Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron. It was amazing to have the opportunity to meet him and talk to him about why I joined the party. He is such a kind man who is doing an amazing job as leader. That is one meeting i’m not likely to forget in a hurry.

It was also nice to see Paddy Ashdown work his DJ skills at the Lib Dem disco. Which was a fun night had by all!

Then when I came back for the last day of conference. I met three Liberal Democrat legends. Norman Lamb, Tom Brake and Nick Clegg (Even though it was for two seconds and he didn’t have time to have a photo with me). Norman and Tom were both very lovely.

Tim Farrons speech was both inspiring and liberating. Never have I seen a speech with so much  passion and drive. And yes I admit, I did have a little cry at the end of Tims speech. Tims speech really shows that we will always be needed within British politics.

The highlight of conference for me was the fact I got to meet many youths like myself who have a keen interest in politics and the future of our country. And the fact I am also now the proud owner of my very own Liberal Democrat clipboard.

This conference was such an amazing and rewarding experience. I look forward to the many conferences to come.

The Lib Dem fightback has well and truly began and this conference was just the beginning.

Election 2015 review: Where did it all go wrong?

On the first day at the 2015 Liberal Democrat autumn conference, I delivered my speech about our campaign in the 2015 general election. In my speech instead on mentioning what we did wrong. I spoke about what we did right. During the 2015 general election, I think we delivered a strong campaign and here is why.

As I said at conference, during the election I did not meet one Liberal Democrat MP, candidate, councillor, campaigner etc who did not work hard to spread the Liberal Democrat message and aim which is to create a country in which we have a stronger economy, a fairer society and opportunity for everyone no matter where you are from.

After all in my opinion, our manifesto for this election in my opinion was the best manifesto we have ever produced. With the clear message that we would cut less than the Conservatives and borrow less than Labour. The sections that appealed to me the most was we would do for the NHS and for the younger generation.

Such as invest 8 billion in the NHS with £500 million a year for mental health services. And for the younger generation double the amount of apprenticeships already created as well as transform  mental health services for younger people which will allow them for access to mental health services.

One of the biggest challenges we faced in the election was showing the nation the amount of good work we did whilst we were in coalition with the Conservatives from 2010-2015 as lack of press coverage meant this would be a tricky challenge. Such as deliver a £825 a year tax cut to low and middle income families, created 2 million apprenticeships for young people, a 2.5 billion year pupil premium for education and as a result of improving mental health services, 2 million mental health patients were treated between 2010-2015. Now that is one hell of a result!

The public didn’t vote for us because they didn’t like us. They voted for the Conservatives because of fear. And that fear is of Labour and the SNP going into coalition and the fear of not trusting Labour with your economy after the mess they left in before 2010.

I believe that 2020 will be our year. The year the phoenix rises from the ashes and people will finally start to realise that the Liberal Democrats are the only party who can finish the recovery of Britain’s economy, but most importantly do it fairly.

As I said in my speech at conference “The 2015 general election was not a defeat, it was just the ammunition we needed for us to work harder!”  

I will always proud to be part of the Liberal Democrats and will also continue to fight for what we stand for. As I will always believe we are what is best for the country and for the future.

The fightback well and truly began the moment the polling station closed at 10pm on May 7th 2015. And oh boy, isn’t it a fightback indeed.

My top three reasons why people should vote

Despite having the biggest turn out of voters in 18 years,in the 2015 general election, I was shocked to find many people hadn’t voted. In my opinion if you don’t vote, you shouldn’t moan about the current government if you don’t like them. As it was stated that in the 2010 general election 15.9 million people didn’t vote. Imagine what a difference that would have made to the results. Yes our electoral system needs to be looked at to make sure the number of seats matches votes. But voting is still one of many ways you can have your say on the countries decisions. So here are my top three reasons as to why people should vote.

1. People died for the right to vote 

Yes, this one if mainly aimed at women as we all know about the Suffragettes. For those of you who don’t. The Suffragettes was the move that wanted women to be given the right to vote. the move for women to have the vote had really started in 1897 when Millicent Fawcett founded the National Union of Women’s Suffrage. The most known act associated with the Suffragettes took place during June 1913 when a fellow suffragette Emily Wilding Dawson threw herself under the king’s horse and being  tragically killed.

Most men in Parliament believed that women simply would not understand how Parliament worked and therefore should not take part in the voting process of an election. I beg to differ, with many women today taking a huge interest in politics, some even holding positions within the cabinet. That shows how far women have come within politics.

After much protesting women were finally all given women the right to vote in 1928. So as you can see without the Suffragettes, women would not have the amazing opportunity to vote.

2. It’s your future 

A simple but effective statement. In Britain we live in a democracy. Which in my opinion is a blessing not a curse. This means a constituency can pick  who represents them within parliament. Yes it may not always be the person you want, but at least it is someone’s job to represent where you live.

Whichever party has the overall majority, will effect your future no matter where you live. Such things like your education, housing and pension. You should vote for the party who you think will make sure your future is a bright and promising one. So doing research before polling day is an essential for understanding which party you would like to see carry out their polices.

That’s is why I joined the Liberal Democrats. Yes we may not be the strongest party within parliament. But they are the party with the most polices that I agree with and would like to see them carried out as I think they are what is best for not just my future, but the future of the country as a whole.

3. Don’t vote, Don’t complain!

It still shocks me that many people who don’t vote, still moan about the way the country is run. Not voting means that your voice is not getting heard anyway so don’t go moaning about it if the party you don’t like gets elected.

You can ever leave your ballot paper blank if your not sure on who to vote for. At least if you did that, you would still be having your opinion heard.

Many people say they didn’t vote because “They didn’t have the time!” absolute nonsense! This is not a valid reason, it’s just an excuse. Voting is made even easier and you don’t have to pop into your local polling station on election day, you can now do a postal vote which means yes, YOUR VOTE WILL COUNT!!!

So as you can see, voting plays a very important part within a 21st century democracy within Britain. So make your voices and opinion heard. So in your next local/national election. Don’t just sit there. Get out and vote!