Following the recent surge of Omicron variant cases, and the escalating pressures on healthcare workers, BMA Northern Ireland has been delivering care box replenishments to hospitals across Northern Ireland. With help from LNCs, BMA committee chairs and members who volunteered to help we have been able to ensure the boxes are placed within the busiest traffic areas, where doctors of all grades may find it difficult to rest, refuel, rehydrate or revive themselves.

These boxes are for all front-line health service staff and contain essentials including toiletries, hand sanitiser, face wipes, sanitary protection, snacks and teabags (among other items).

After 20 months of the pandemic, doctors may be feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, unable to get a proper break or anxious about the increasing pressures - the reality of the current climate is extremely unpredictable.

Please remember that you need and deserve proper rest and a manageable workload to cope within your role. Our support team are on hand to provide expert advice on any employment concerns you might have, call 0300 123 1233 or visit the BMA website.

The care boxes are a small token of thanks to healthcare professionals who have been working throughout the pandemic.

Dr Stephenson, a Specialty Doctor at Causeway Hospital said,

"Thank you very much for the delivery of the care box, which has been gratefully received by the anaesthetic department in the Causeway.

I imagine that we may not need to avail of its contents at present, but it will certainly come in useful in the days ahead when the pressure mounts. I am a great believer of looking after ourselves and each other, especially during times of increased stresses and anxiety, with increasing workload and uncertainty. It is great to see organisations such as the BMA recognising this and being proactive in staff wellbeing. Thank you very much.

Glad to be a BMA member – wonderful organisation!

Best wishes, and thanks again,

David”

Huge thanks to everyone who made the campaign a great success, from all our counterparts across the nations, medical staff contacts and members who gave up their time to support the initiative. Also, many thanks to numerous local suppliers for kindly contributing items to the BMA Care Boxes. Their generosity is greatly appreciated at this time!

Twenty-four boxes have since been distributed across Northern Ireland; locations include –