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.
Fab day working with friends, colleagues & health campaigners on how to safeguard primary care for @keepournhspublic.bsky.social
I'm always struck by the passion folks have to give of their free time & energy to the cause.
It's true what Bevan [is supposed to have] said. You all know the quote
I'm always struck by the passion folks have to give of their free time & energy to the cause.
It's true what Bevan [is supposed to have] said. You all know the quote
November 29, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Fab day working with friends, colleagues & health campaigners on how to safeguard primary care for @keepournhspublic.bsky.social
I'm always struck by the passion folks have to give of their free time & energy to the cause.
It's true what Bevan [is supposed to have] said. You all know the quote
I'm always struck by the passion folks have to give of their free time & energy to the cause.
It's true what Bevan [is supposed to have] said. You all know the quote
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...
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 💖
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.
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.
It's beyond ridiculous how in the 6th richest world economy, a Labour govt would rather smear and berate hardworking doctors than pay them £22.50 an hour in order to retain a functioning health service.
Make it make sense.
Make it make sense.
November 18, 2025 at 8:12 PM
It's beyond ridiculous how in the 6th richest world economy, a Labour govt would rather smear and berate hardworking doctors than pay them £22.50 an hour in order to retain a functioning health service.
Make it make sense.
Make it make sense.
Resident doctors aren't greedy, and they're not militant.
It's just that after YEARS of being in an abusive relationship with government, they've finally recognised their worth.
It's just that after YEARS of being in an abusive relationship with government, they've finally recognised their worth.
November 14, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Resident doctors aren't greedy, and they're not militant.
It's just that after YEARS of being in an abusive relationship with government, they've finally recognised their worth.
It's just that after YEARS of being in an abusive relationship with government, they've finally recognised their worth.
Slightly less upset by this sacking!
I refused to work with him after he made fun of one of my frontline doctor colleagues live on air over a single misspoken stat, then encouraged all his knuckle-dragging followers on X to pile on him afterwards.
Vile man.
I refused to work with him after he made fun of one of my frontline doctor colleagues live on air over a single misspoken stat, then encouraged all his knuckle-dragging followers on X to pile on him afterwards.
Vile man.
November 13, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Slightly less upset by this sacking!
I refused to work with him after he made fun of one of my frontline doctor colleagues live on air over a single misspoken stat, then encouraged all his knuckle-dragging followers on X to pile on him afterwards.
Vile man.
I refused to work with him after he made fun of one of my frontline doctor colleagues live on air over a single misspoken stat, then encouraged all his knuckle-dragging followers on X to pile on him afterwards.
Vile man.
I find the glee here about making thousands of hard working NHS staff redundant - and simultaneously therefore ensuring that clinical staff's workloads are increased even further with administration tasks they didn't sign up for - both tone deaf and distasteful.
November 12, 2025 at 6:14 PM
I find the glee here about making thousands of hard working NHS staff redundant - and simultaneously therefore ensuring that clinical staff's workloads are increased even further with administration tasks they didn't sign up for - both tone deaf and distasteful.
Lobbying is life 💙
November 11, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Lobbying is life 💙
The word "COVID" doesn't appear once in the govts 10 year plan for health, says economist @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social from the @99organisation.bsky.social in parliament just now.
How can you make an economic plan while ignoring something so monumental?
"Ignoring COVID is a serious flaw."
How can you make an economic plan while ignoring something so monumental?
"Ignoring COVID is a serious flaw."
November 11, 2025 at 5:27 PM
The word "COVID" doesn't appear once in the govts 10 year plan for health, says economist @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social from the @99organisation.bsky.social in parliament just now.
How can you make an economic plan while ignoring something so monumental?
"Ignoring COVID is a serious flaw."
How can you make an economic plan while ignoring something so monumental?
"Ignoring COVID is a serious flaw."
Weekend vibes.
November 8, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Weekend vibes.
Do you think that in 2025 we could maybe stop making mothers feel somehow abnormal for not having a vaginal delivery?
Many of us already feel like we've failed in some way. This is why.
Many of us already feel like we've failed in some way. This is why.
November 7, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Do you think that in 2025 we could maybe stop making mothers feel somehow abnormal for not having a vaginal delivery?
Many of us already feel like we've failed in some way. This is why.
Many of us already feel like we've failed in some way. This is why.
This was sadly to be expected under the Tories, but the fact that we're STILL HERE now under a Labour govt is inexcusable.
And yes, they have had time.
And yes, they have had time.
November 7, 2025 at 10:32 AM
This was sadly to be expected under the Tories, but the fact that we're STILL HERE now under a Labour govt is inexcusable.
And yes, they have had time.
And yes, they have had time.
Won't share the piece (it's GB News). Sharing the quote tho as it's grossly misleading.
Notice the lack of specifics.
In house support is woefully inadequate, the mandate to provide it was quietly scrapped, and NHSE which offers it - will be abolished.
NHS staff left high & dry, like always.
Notice the lack of specifics.
In house support is woefully inadequate, the mandate to provide it was quietly scrapped, and NHSE which offers it - will be abolished.
NHS staff left high & dry, like always.
November 2, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Won't share the piece (it's GB News). Sharing the quote tho as it's grossly misleading.
Notice the lack of specifics.
In house support is woefully inadequate, the mandate to provide it was quietly scrapped, and NHSE which offers it - will be abolished.
NHS staff left high & dry, like always.
Notice the lack of specifics.
In house support is woefully inadequate, the mandate to provide it was quietly scrapped, and NHSE which offers it - will be abolished.
NHS staff left high & dry, like always.
Am I missing something here?
Is it not LITERALLY his job to make sure it IS easier to see a GP?
Is it not LITERALLY his job to make sure it IS easier to see a GP?
November 1, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Am I missing something here?
Is it not LITERALLY his job to make sure it IS easier to see a GP?
Is it not LITERALLY his job to make sure it IS easier to see a GP?
My daughter carves ours now
October 31, 2025 at 7:40 PM
My daughter carves ours now
If you're a child of the 80s or early 90s and didn't get really excited over this mask plus bin bag combo, then who even are you.
October 31, 2025 at 1:26 PM
If you're a child of the 80s or early 90s and didn't get really excited over this mask plus bin bag combo, then who even are you.
Twas ever thus. Also see
October 29, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Twas ever thus. Also see
Aww, hope you're having a lovely holiday! Have got a doggy now too!
October 27, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Aww, hope you're having a lovely holiday! Have got a doggy now too!
It's so good to have her home ❤️😊
October 26, 2025 at 8:28 PM
It's so good to have her home ❤️😊
Thank you! Yes, never known it personally on this scale before, true neighbourliness ❤️
October 25, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Thank you! Yes, never known it personally on this scale before, true neighbourliness ❤️
Genuinely overwhelmed tonight by the kindness of not just friends, but strangers too.
Our dog ran off & several neighbours & villagers came out in the cold & dark to trudge muddy fields without even being asked.
She's home now. Just thought we could all do with the reminder; people can be lovely.
Our dog ran off & several neighbours & villagers came out in the cold & dark to trudge muddy fields without even being asked.
She's home now. Just thought we could all do with the reminder; people can be lovely.
October 25, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Genuinely overwhelmed tonight by the kindness of not just friends, but strangers too.
Our dog ran off & several neighbours & villagers came out in the cold & dark to trudge muddy fields without even being asked.
She's home now. Just thought we could all do with the reminder; people can be lovely.
Our dog ran off & several neighbours & villagers came out in the cold & dark to trudge muddy fields without even being asked.
She's home now. Just thought we could all do with the reminder; people can be lovely.