A MAN who has spent a lifetime in the nursing and caring profession has spoken from the heart about the problems facing his profession in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mico Bienvenu, who is a director of Christian Care Homes which operates two premises in Stanford-le-Hope, has become a well-known figure across the borough.

He says that when the current crisis is finally overcome it is vital that what has happened is not forgotten and that the healthcare profession gets the priorities it deserves.

Here, Mico tells Thurrock Nub News his story and his hopes and aspirations for the future.

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FOR more than 47 years, I have been actively working in health and social care.

At the age of 19, I came over to study nursing in the UK. Now, a British citizen, I am married, have four daughters and six grandsons.

I am proud to be a resident of the UK, which is my second home and a country I love so much. I am eternally grateful for this country to have given me a great opportunity and privilege to train, care and serve the NHS.

I am also the founder member and now director of a registered Charity currently working and caring for the needs our elders in residential care Homes.

After 47 years of service, I am still actively engaged in the frontline of the care services.

As a trained registered nurse, I am driven with passion and ready to serve, especially at this time of great need for a country that has trained, equipped and invested in me over the years.

What a great privilege!

Indeed, captain Tom Moore is still serving at his great age. So, if he can do it, let us all be reminded and encouraged by his resilience and true British determination to battle through at this time of national and international crisis to overcome this awful virus and get back in our feet again.

"Jewel in the crown - pride of our nation"

Our Health and Social care service is the jewel in the crown, the pride of our nation, working with great dedication 24/7 to meet the ever increasing demands and expectations of the public.

Sadly, in the past, the same services have been under constant scrutiny and criticised by a judgement framework. Do you then wonder why it is so difficult to recruit health and social carers?

In my long professional experience, carers are always passionate, engaging ,dedicated people, and committed to the ethics and ethos of caring for our sick, elderly in our hospitals and care homes.

Carers need your continuing support, and consistent encouragement to uplift their spirits.

It is not always about financial reward , but it is about being valued, and having recognition for our passion, dedication and commitment to be selfless.

Health & Social Care should not be judged to the extent of demoralising a dedicated workforce. Carers are the unsung heroes of all seasons doing a very difficult and challenging job 24/7, in spite all the challenges they face as doctors, nurses, carers, and health care professionals.

A few years ago, I was at a conference in London when Mr Andrew Lansley, who was then serving as the Secretary of State for Health was also in attendance.

I then raised my concern about the document called the 'judgement framework' being used to inspect the health and social care sector.

Mr Lansley himself was alarmed to hear about such a rigid and terrifying document being used in assessing the delivery of our health and social care services.

To day this judgment framework is still being used for inspections of our care services.

It is extremely demoralising and can sometimes give an overhaul negative stereotype assessment of our health and social care system when in fact, the care provisions are generally very good and greatly valued by our nation.

"Please keep hailing them and stop nailing them"

We need more dedicated people for the future care workforce, therefore we need to empower, train and nurture them in a very positive way. Please keep hailing them and stop nailing them.

Being burdened and disempowered by a judgement framework surely is not the right approach. It is time for all of us to reflect and encourage our excellent health & social care system which faces staff crisis and low morale.

We will not be defeated.

We will press on with true British spirit to strive for a better and sustainable future of our services.

We all appreciate the praises of the wider British people at this moment. It is a great honour and privilege to serve them as health and social carers. Please, we therefore ask the system to stop judging carers using a judgement framework.

Keep on clapping to encourage us now and for the future. We will be out there listening for your acclamation but will be disheartened and disempowered by your judgement.

I will finish by saying that we are not heroes, in fact, we have feelings and are frightened just like everyone of you, particularly being in the frontline with the pandemic.

However, we are a dedicated army ready to serve our Queen and Country.

God save our queen and long live Great Britain

Thank you so much for listening. We remain as ever at your service.