Nurses do a lot more (From Barry And District News)

Nurses do a lot more

WE ALL seem to forget that the average fire-fighter on an excess of £22,000 a year earns close on double that of a nurse in South Wales just starting in their chosen career.

You can argue, and it has been argued in the media, that the fire-fighter carries out a far more important role than anybody in our emergency services. I have a tendency to disagree.

It is the nurse who should be getting the pay rise, not the fire-fighter. The nurse saves more lives than any of our emergency personnel.

It is the nurses, before doctors in a hospital, that first see a patient for assessment, who act on the spot to save lives. Very few people die in fires; it is rare that a fire-fighter saves a life compared with the nurse who can on average save several lives a day.

Do you see firefighters getting threatened with hypodermic syringes, or blood that could potentially be infected?

Do let's remember, before the firefighters go on strike, there are others who are paid a lot less. The firefighters should be happy with their lot. Let's be honest, the firefighters are inactive most of the time, and the nurse works every minute they are in a hospital. Let's get some idea of reality.

Lucy Lewis, Health spokeswoman, Vale Independent Party.