NURSES and frontline NHS workers have responded with shock and disappointment after being 'unjustifiably snubbed' by the government who have not included them in pay rises announced yesterday.

And a Thurrock woman, dubbed a heroine by local people for her work with colleagues at Basildon and Thurrock Hospital has described the news as a stab in the back - saying she and fellow care workers have been treated like 'cannon fodder'.

Only certain health staff will receive a 2.8% pay rise, backdated to April, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed

The Government has accepted in full the pay recommendations in the latest Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB) report, which considers a range of evidence from the NHS and trade unions.

This pay award is worth, in basic pay, between £2,200 and £3,000 for consultants, between £1,100 and £2,100 for Specialty Doctors, and between £1,500 and £2,600 for Associate Specialists.

The announcement does not cover nurses and healthcare assistants, who are among more than one million NHS workers covered by a three-year pay deal agreed in 2018. The Institute for Public Policy Research think tank said not including nurses and carers was "unforgivable" and an "unjustifiable snub".

Dame Donna Kinnair, chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing, said it is not acceptable to make nurses wait a year, adding: "In this year, of all years, it is time to value these professionals and begin to fill the tens of thousands of vacant posts."

Critical care unit worker Julie Dann from Stanford-le-Hope, who we have featured on Thurrock Nub News as one of the many NHS heroes, summed up the mood of front line workers in an emotive statement.

She says: "In March our jobs changed drastically. They went from 0 to 100 in emotion and stress levels over night. The dynamics changed. The mood changed. Leave was cancelled and most of us stepped up to the plate to cover those who had to isolate/shield and distance, by doing what we had to do. We joined forces as sisters and brothers fighting an invisible war.

"We've laughed, cried, reflected, but most of all WE WORKED! we've worked in stifling conditions called PPE or even lack of it risking ourself and our families, We've worked when we've wanted to be at home. We've worked when we should have been on holiday on a beach somewhere. We've worked when our family have needed us, we worked and not seen our children for weeks to keep them safe!

"There's been no furlough in the NHS. There's been no time off in lieu.

"There's no zoom in an NHS ward, there is no zoom in a care home full of precious family members or elderly alone at home as it's too risky for family to visit, You can't empty catheters by zoom..... Or take bloods by Skype, or administer drugs, change beds, deliver babies.... Nothing can be done in our profession by zoom. You have to get up close and personal. None of this 2 metre rule!

"I've been lucky if I've been more than 2 feet away from a patient let alone 2 metres..... Clean hands clean apron clean mask wash your hands over and over again.

"We're dedicated NHS and care staff who stand on the front line ready to do whatever is asked of us. No matter how frightened we are, we can't show it. We can't... And won't say no.

"As things started to ease so did our PPE... Still mindful if the risk, we take it in our stride, but we're still there, front line, battling.

"Until today we thought we were warriors, NHS heroes they called us. Loved, appreciated, clapped. Until today we thought we'd achieved our aim of keeping that bright star shining. The NHS.... The envy of the world. The greatest institution this country had created. Then today.... In one sentence.... We realised just how loved and appreciated we really are.

"Regardless of the fact that the Prime Minister had his life saved by NHS warriors and his partner delivered her baby by NHS midwives during the pandemic.... He chooses to put Midwives Nurses MSWs HCSWs at the bottom of the pile for a payrise. The 2 main departments that kept him and his family alive and safe.

"We're not warriors.... We're foot soldiers..... Cannon fodder. Totally Replaceable and irrelevant.

"I am disappointed beyond belief. I honestly believed that we would be recognised and rewarded for commitment professionalism and loyalty

"We don't want a medal..... We want a decent wage for a decent day's work

"All of us in the care sector, nurses, Carers, clerks, receptionist, physios To name but a few......have to work nights weekends and Bank Holidays to enable care and to earn a living wage.

"Thanks Mr Johnson

"Our unions may have agreed a deal with you but this was always a fast still below the cost of living............ and this is our working day!

"To all Nurses, healthcare assistants, Carers, domestics, admin, and our multidisciplinary teams that keep working and doing what's right for the sake of others, stand proud and remember why we do what we do!"