After the rejection of the latest pay offer by members, and in anticipation of strikes until the end of the year, the nurses union has just released its charity Christmas single, eight months early.
A spokesperson said that the money from sales of the single will be used to help nurses with their food and energy bills.
The charity single is a reworking of the 12 days of Christmas and celebrates daily life in the NHS. The lyrics are as follows
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Twelve lawsuits coming
Eleven MPs sniping
Ten doctors beeping
No pay financing
Eight nurses wilting
Seven bedpans brimming
Six patients paying
Five cold meals
Four bawling babs
Three French SRNs
Two rubber gloves
And a single doctor left in A&E
The nurses union explained that the song is ‘just a bit of fun’ and that NHS patients should not expect to see ten doctors when they visit hospital, unless there is a picket line. They also wanted to make clear that NHS food is usually served hot (or lukewarm for meetings about pay negotiations) and is very nutritious. The reference to five cold meals is about the food at weekends and bank holidays, when another tray of sandwiches and a banana can feel a bit disappointing.