The Party of Wales Arfon Standing up for the people of Arfon

Plaid Cymru Member of Parliament for Arfon Hywel Williams and Member of the Senedd Sian Gwenllian have reaffirmed their gratitude to local nurses working on the frontline in the fight against Coronavirus, paying tribute to those working at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor and caring for patients across communities in Arfon.

Speaking on International Nurses Day, Mr Williams and Ms Gwenllian said that the Covid-19 pandemic had highlighted the pressures faced by frontline NHS staff, putting their own lives at risk and sacrificing precious time with their own families to care for others.

Hywel Williams MP also reiterated his call for all non-British NHS workers fighting coronavirus to be given British citizenship, saying that services like the NHS simply could not function without the contribution of healthcare staff from many different countries. 

His call has been backed by the BMA (Wales) (British Medical Association).

Hywel Williams MP said,

'This is an opportunity to reflect on the tireless devotion to care shown by nurses and healthcare assistants working across Arfon throughout the year.'

'Covid-19 has underlined the pressures faced by local health services and the unwavering commitment shown by frontline staff, putting their own lives at risk and sacrificing precious time with their own families to care for others.'

'From Bangor to Bontnewydd, nurses across Arfon do a job that most of us couldn’t, whether caring for patients in hospital or visiting the sick and elderly in our communities.'  

'I know of nurses who have had to make great personal sacrifices to protect their families whilst caring for Covid-19 patients, such as spending weeks away from their own families in alternative accommodation.' 

'I hope nurses across Arfon will take time to reflect on their enormous contribution, and to feel some personal pride in the difference they make.'

'Furthermore, our local NHS and support services simply could not function without the immense contribution and sacrifice of health care staff from many different countries.'

'Thousands of non-British key workers are currently working on the frontline in the fight against this deadly virus, with many supporting the heroic efforts of NHS Wales staff at Ysbyty Gwynedd.'

'The very least they deserve is the reassurance that the life they have built for themselves and their families in the UK will be safeguarded, and above all else, that their sacrifice is truly valued'

Sian Gwenllian MS said, 

 'As a society we are hugely indebted to so many key workers - from doctors to teachers, from care workers to pharmacists, classroom assistants and lorry drivers.'

'Today on International Nurses Day, we focus on the nurses and health care assistants working in our hospitals and in the community.'

'I wish to add my warmest thanks to them for the incredibly valuable work they do all the time, but especially during this Covid-19 crisis.' 

'They are putting their own lives at risk as they care for others. They deserve our fullest respect and I applaud them all.'