Samantha Wathen
@samanthajwathen.bsky.social
Press/Media Officer for Keep Our NHS Public and Operations for Frontline19. Occasional bylines on the NHS. Passionate about mental health support for HCPs. Once got to say Hold the front page. Own views, obvs.
Pinned
Humans, not heroes, are holding our NHS together — NHS Million
Government neglect and underfunding over the last ten years has contributed to a situation that is untenable and the actions of those in power continue to make working in the NHS extremely challenging...
www.nhsmillion.co.uk
I wrote this piece for @nhsmillion.bsky.social in 2022, but it's sadly still true.
"The only thing holding the NHS together is its staff who somehow manage to find that inner strength to come in and face the enormous challenges posed day after day after day"
www.nhsmillion.co.uk/blog/2022/1/...
"The only thing holding the NHS together is its staff who somehow manage to find that inner strength to come in and face the enormous challenges posed day after day after day"
www.nhsmillion.co.uk/blog/2022/1/...
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
Signed and shared. I asked about a Covid booster when I got my flu shot, and was disturbed to hear that, not only was I ineligible, my GP was too. These people are on the front lines of the fight against this disease: they need protection.
Okay, here we go.
Health & care staff are no longer allowed a Covid booster, but they're still expected to look after COVID+ patients.
NHS/govt is reneging on its duty of care. Staff will become unwell, and patients too will suffer.
You know what to do
👇✍️
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Health & care staff are no longer allowed a Covid booster, but they're still expected to look after COVID+ patients.
NHS/govt is reneging on its duty of care. Staff will become unwell, and patients too will suffer.
You know what to do
👇✍️
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
November 29, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Signed and shared. I asked about a Covid booster when I got my flu shot, and was disturbed to hear that, not only was I ineligible, my GP was too. These people are on the front lines of the fight against this disease: they need protection.
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
Deputy Chair of the @bma.org.uk GP committee @davidwrigley.bsky.social addresses our Campaigning for Primary Care conference today in London.
"We're all fighting together for the same cause."
"We're all fighting together for the same cause."
November 29, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Deputy Chair of the @bma.org.uk GP committee @davidwrigley.bsky.social addresses our Campaigning for Primary Care conference today in London.
"We're all fighting together for the same cause."
"We're all fighting together for the same cause."
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
Deputy Chair of the @bma.org.uk GP committee, @davidwrigley.bsky.social outlines this very stark statistic at our Primary Care conference today.
Govt must fund primary care.
Govt must fund primary care.
November 29, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Deputy Chair of the @bma.org.uk GP committee, @davidwrigley.bsky.social outlines this very stark statistic at our Primary Care conference today.
Govt must fund primary care.
Govt must fund primary care.
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
November 29, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
Our co-chair @drtonyosullivan.bsky.social kicks off our Campaigning for Primary Care conference in London today. "My dad was a GP...govt has been really bad at putting the NHS and NHS staff first."
November 29, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Our co-chair @drtonyosullivan.bsky.social kicks off our Campaigning for Primary Care conference in London today. "My dad was a GP...govt has been really bad at putting the NHS and NHS staff first."
Morning London ✨
Off to present two sessions at our @keepournhspublic.bsky.social Primary Care conference on how to work with the press and Media for healthcare staff and campaigners.
Off to present two sessions at our @keepournhspublic.bsky.social Primary Care conference on how to work with the press and Media for healthcare staff and campaigners.
November 29, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Morning London ✨
Off to present two sessions at our @keepournhspublic.bsky.social Primary Care conference on how to work with the press and Media for healthcare staff and campaigners.
Off to present two sessions at our @keepournhspublic.bsky.social Primary Care conference on how to work with the press and Media for healthcare staff and campaigners.
Okay, here we go.
Health & care staff are no longer allowed a Covid booster, but they're still expected to look after COVID+ patients.
NHS/govt is reneging on its duty of care. Staff will become unwell, and patients too will suffer.
You know what to do
👇✍️
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Health & care staff are no longer allowed a Covid booster, but they're still expected to look after COVID+ patients.
NHS/govt is reneging on its duty of care. Staff will become unwell, and patients too will suffer.
You know what to do
👇✍️
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
November 28, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Okay, here we go.
Health & care staff are no longer allowed a Covid booster, but they're still expected to look after COVID+ patients.
NHS/govt is reneging on its duty of care. Staff will become unwell, and patients too will suffer.
You know what to do
👇✍️
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Health & care staff are no longer allowed a Covid booster, but they're still expected to look after COVID+ patients.
NHS/govt is reneging on its duty of care. Staff will become unwell, and patients too will suffer.
You know what to do
👇✍️
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
Dog or Fox? This little one has been a great comfort to me today 💖
November 27, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Dog or Fox? This little one has been a great comfort to me today 💖
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
Michael Mansfield KC, the renowned human rights lawyer who chaired our very own People's Covid Inquiry, explains why he still believes there is a serious case for Johnson's government to answer.
Via @goldbergradio.bsky.social & @bylinetimes.bsky.social
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/met-police...
Via @goldbergradio.bsky.social & @bylinetimes.bsky.social
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/met-police...
Met Police Urged to Launch Investigation Into Boris Johnson For Covid Misconduct
Eminent lawyer Michael Mansfield KC tells the Byline Podcast that police should "look again" at the former Prime Minister's handling of the pandemic
www.bylinesupplement.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Michael Mansfield KC, the renowned human rights lawyer who chaired our very own People's Covid Inquiry, explains why he still believes there is a serious case for Johnson's government to answer.
Via @goldbergradio.bsky.social & @bylinetimes.bsky.social
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/met-police...
Via @goldbergradio.bsky.social & @bylinetimes.bsky.social
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/met-police...
When you have to resort to personal insults, you've already lost.
Watch as Rachel Reeves brands Greens leader Zack Polanski a 'keen hypnotherapist'
🗣️ 'The only things getting bigger under his approach would be the deficit and the rise of inflation'
🗣️ 'The only things getting bigger under his approach would be the deficit and the rise of inflation'
November 26, 2025 at 2:56 PM
When you have to resort to personal insults, you've already lost.
NHS got literally two lines of mention in the #budget and that was mostly to celebrate the loss of 18,000 workers, dismissed as "back office staff".
Many of these people (who do btw include clinical staff) worked through covid, and they provide vital admin support to frontline clinicians.
Many of these people (who do btw include clinical staff) worked through covid, and they provide vital admin support to frontline clinicians.
November 26, 2025 at 2:50 PM
NHS got literally two lines of mention in the #budget and that was mostly to celebrate the loss of 18,000 workers, dismissed as "back office staff".
Many of these people (who do btw include clinical staff) worked through covid, and they provide vital admin support to frontline clinicians.
Many of these people (who do btw include clinical staff) worked through covid, and they provide vital admin support to frontline clinicians.
Every time politicians mention dodgy Covid contracts it's to point out the amount of taxpayers ££ wasted. Fine, but these faulty PPE deals also cost the lives of literally hundreds of health/care staff. This never gets an utterance. Lost cash is not the most important consequence of this corruption.
November 26, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Every time politicians mention dodgy Covid contracts it's to point out the amount of taxpayers ££ wasted. Fine, but these faulty PPE deals also cost the lives of literally hundreds of health/care staff. This never gets an utterance. Lost cash is not the most important consequence of this corruption.
Proud to have worked with Michael and others on this and I think it's fair to say that the whole team feel the same.
We gave families, healthcare workers and keyworkers a vital voice at a time of unimaginable hardship when no one else was listening.
We gave families, healthcare workers and keyworkers a vital voice at a time of unimaginable hardship when no one else was listening.
In 2020, when govt refused to listen - we held our own People's Covid Inquiry, chaired by renowned human rights lawyer, Michael Mansfield KC. Listen to his take on the current official Inquiry findings with @goldbergradio.bsky.social on @bylinetimes.bsky.social podcast
podfollow.com/byline-times...
podfollow.com/byline-times...
BYLINE TIMES PODCAST: Michael Mansfield KC: "Police should reopen Covid crime case."
Michael Mansfield KC tells Adrian Goldberg why he believes there's scope for the criminal prosecution of ministers for their handling of the Covid 19 pandemic.Produced in Birmingham by Adrian Goldb...
podfollow.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Proud to have worked with Michael and others on this and I think it's fair to say that the whole team feel the same.
We gave families, healthcare workers and keyworkers a vital voice at a time of unimaginable hardship when no one else was listening.
We gave families, healthcare workers and keyworkers a vital voice at a time of unimaginable hardship when no one else was listening.
Watching the Royal Ballet perform The Nutcracker 😁
Bucket list ✅ 🩰
Bucket list ✅ 🩰
November 22, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Watching the Royal Ballet perform The Nutcracker 😁
Bucket list ✅ 🩰
Bucket list ✅ 🩰
The rage is real.
🚨 At least 23k unnecessarily deaths
🚨 Health & care staff left unprotected while they made £££s
🚨 A "protective ring" thrown around care homes
🚨 Govt parties during lockdown
Now this admission...
I'm just gonna leave this insult of a non-apology from Nadine Dorries here.
🚨 At least 23k unnecessarily deaths
🚨 Health & care staff left unprotected while they made £££s
🚨 A "protective ring" thrown around care homes
🚨 Govt parties during lockdown
Now this admission...
I'm just gonna leave this insult of a non-apology from Nadine Dorries here.
November 21, 2025 at 4:26 PM
The rage is real.
🚨 At least 23k unnecessarily deaths
🚨 Health & care staff left unprotected while they made £££s
🚨 A "protective ring" thrown around care homes
🚨 Govt parties during lockdown
Now this admission...
I'm just gonna leave this insult of a non-apology from Nadine Dorries here.
🚨 At least 23k unnecessarily deaths
🚨 Health & care staff left unprotected while they made £££s
🚨 A "protective ring" thrown around care homes
🚨 Govt parties during lockdown
Now this admission...
I'm just gonna leave this insult of a non-apology from Nadine Dorries here.
Nadine Dorries:
"It’s just rewriting history, it’s with hindsight. I’m not sure the evidence is there to back up those claims that 23,000 people died because of that week’s delay. I think that just sounds to me not right.”
Honestly woman, learn some humility.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
"It’s just rewriting history, it’s with hindsight. I’m not sure the evidence is there to back up those claims that 23,000 people died because of that week’s delay. I think that just sounds to me not right.”
Honestly woman, learn some humility.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Boris Johnson could face legal action over pandemic failings after damning report
Nadine Dorries and Michael Gove have led attempts to undermine the damning report by Heather Hallett after it found inaction by Boris Johnson’s government may have cost 23,000 people their lives
www.independent.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Nadine Dorries:
"It’s just rewriting history, it’s with hindsight. I’m not sure the evidence is there to back up those claims that 23,000 people died because of that week’s delay. I think that just sounds to me not right.”
Honestly woman, learn some humility.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
"It’s just rewriting history, it’s with hindsight. I’m not sure the evidence is there to back up those claims that 23,000 people died because of that week’s delay. I think that just sounds to me not right.”
Honestly woman, learn some humility.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
"Hands up if you caused 23,000 extra deaths by being a dithering incompetent twat"
November 20, 2025 at 7:15 PM
"Hands up if you caused 23,000 extra deaths by being a dithering incompetent twat"
Looking forward to hosting workshops at this event on how patients & NHS staff can work with the press and Media to affect change.
Don't miss our FREE Primary Care conference happening next Saturday (29th) in London.
Hear from leading GPs, patients & campaigners and attend exciting workshops that will equip you with the tools to make a difference in your local area.
Register here 👇
keepournhspublic.com/event/primar...
Hear from leading GPs, patients & campaigners and attend exciting workshops that will equip you with the tools to make a difference in your local area.
Register here 👇
keepournhspublic.com/event/primar...
November 21, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Looking forward to hosting workshops at this event on how patients & NHS staff can work with the press and Media to affect change.
Inquiry has no powers of prosecution, there is no justice - and no fairness.
They'll carry on with speaking tours and book deals while tens of thousands continue to mourn.
Anger doesn't touch the sides tbh.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
They'll carry on with speaking tours and book deals while tens of thousands continue to mourn.
Anger doesn't touch the sides tbh.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
‘Chaotic and indecisive’: key findings of report on UK’s Covid response under Tories
Second pandemic report focuses on decision-making, organisation and messaging by senior politicians including Boris Johnson
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Inquiry has no powers of prosecution, there is no justice - and no fairness.
They'll carry on with speaking tours and book deals while tens of thousands continue to mourn.
Anger doesn't touch the sides tbh.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
They'll carry on with speaking tours and book deals while tens of thousands continue to mourn.
Anger doesn't touch the sides tbh.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Sat in a healthcare safety network meeting atm hearing how govt knew from the get-go that Covid was airborne but played it down in case there was panic buying of masks which would leave (even) less for healthcare workers.
We truly did have the worst possible govt at the worst possible time.
We truly did have the worst possible govt at the worst possible time.
November 21, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Sat in a healthcare safety network meeting atm hearing how govt knew from the get-go that Covid was airborne but played it down in case there was panic buying of masks which would leave (even) less for healthcare workers.
We truly did have the worst possible govt at the worst possible time.
We truly did have the worst possible govt at the worst possible time.
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
During the height of the pandemic, when govt refused to engage, we held our own People's Covid Inquiry chaired by Michael Mansfield KC.
Today's official findings strongly reflect our own conclusions.
We're proud to have provided those affected with a voice Report here: share.google/ue4cWZieszT8...
Today's official findings strongly reflect our own conclusions.
We're proud to have provided those affected with a voice Report here: share.google/ue4cWZieszT8...
Inquiry report | PeoplesCovidInquiry
share.google
November 20, 2025 at 6:13 PM
During the height of the pandemic, when govt refused to engage, we held our own People's Covid Inquiry chaired by Michael Mansfield KC.
Today's official findings strongly reflect our own conclusions.
We're proud to have provided those affected with a voice Report here: share.google/ue4cWZieszT8...
Today's official findings strongly reflect our own conclusions.
We're proud to have provided those affected with a voice Report here: share.google/ue4cWZieszT8...
Reposted by Samantha Wathen
Our co-chair @drtonyosullivan.bsky.social speaks now at our Migrants Not To Blame event about who's REALLY to blame for the NHS crisis and years of austerity.
Spoiler - it's not migrants.
Spoiler - it's not migrants.
November 20, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Our co-chair @drtonyosullivan.bsky.social speaks now at our Migrants Not To Blame event about who's REALLY to blame for the NHS crisis and years of austerity.
Spoiler - it's not migrants.
Spoiler - it's not migrants.
Single most successful coverage event I've had as press officer @keepournhspublic.bsky.social was presenting our findings from The People's Covid Inquiry - chaired by Michael Mansfield KC.
They reflected what was officially found today. Neither inquiry has the power to prosecute. Mores the pity.
They reflected what was officially found today. Neither inquiry has the power to prosecute. Mores the pity.
November 20, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Single most successful coverage event I've had as press officer @keepournhspublic.bsky.social was presenting our findings from The People's Covid Inquiry - chaired by Michael Mansfield KC.
They reflected what was officially found today. Neither inquiry has the power to prosecute. Mores the pity.
They reflected what was officially found today. Neither inquiry has the power to prosecute. Mores the pity.
A very important piece which also adds further weight to the background of why Residents are involved in industrial action.
Fundamentally, the NHS is exploiting staff in a whole host of different ways. It's not only about pay.
Fundamentally, the NHS is exploiting staff in a whole host of different ways. It's not only about pay.
A new #BMJInvestigation finds that thousands of locally employed doctors are trapped in insecure NHS contracts with no access to training, career progression, or national safeguards.
Experts warn that the NHS is effectively “behaving like a gig economy employer”
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
Experts warn that the NHS is effectively “behaving like a gig economy employer”
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
November 20, 2025 at 2:37 PM
A very important piece which also adds further weight to the background of why Residents are involved in industrial action.
Fundamentally, the NHS is exploiting staff in a whole host of different ways. It's not only about pay.
Fundamentally, the NHS is exploiting staff in a whole host of different ways. It's not only about pay.