He's smartly dressed in a business shirt and suit trousers.
And he's just offered me a cup of tea.
John is a warehouse supervisor during the week. His accent
gives him away as coming from the Black Country. And today he's a volunteer at
a hospital, making tea's and coffee's, helping with meals and washing up.
Imagine that. Five hard working days in the warehouse and
then giving your Sunday away to care for the sick. Wow.
John's not the only one. Jo and Judith are the nurses on
duty today, on the men's ward at Burton hospital. Their love, care and
attention help these largely older men maintain a degree of dignity and decorum
in the most difficult of circumstances.
And that's why I'm here. Dad's had a fall and the care from
John, Jo and Judith is helping him make it through.
Could the NHS be better? Sure. Does it need more money? Of
course. But because of selfless giving and compassion, it's one of the best and
most inclusive healthcare systems in the world.
I read President Trump's comments on the NHS. A bit rich
coming from a man who is planning to unravel a first attempt at universal care
in his country. He really has no idea.
But then.... he hasn't met John.