Words read out on picket line this week in support of NHS staff

A heartfelt poem handwritten by a hospital-bound Ottery resident is helping to promote the cause of striking junior doctors.

Grenville Gilbert is currently in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and his experience of ‘devoted’ NHS staff prompted him to pen a few lines, which were subsequently passed on to people on the picket line.

The poem was read out by junior doctor Matt Jones and filmed by intercalating medical student Rachel Dbeis – who shared it via social media.

Mr Gilbert’s daughter, Emma Morris, said doctors have been up to the ward thank her father for his words and the video has received more than 12,000 ‘likes’ on Facebook.

The Poem to junior doctors by Grenville Gilbert:

“It really makes me furious

It’s just got to be said

The way that they treat the juniors

Writing from my hospital bed

I’ve witnessed their devotion

The long hours that they do

Especially at the weekends

Caring for me and you

The government is so wicked

Treats the public with contempt

But the public isn’t stupid

And wants a just settlement

So stop playing games

With our dear NHS

We support the junior doctors

Wishing them total success”

Thousands of junior doctors across the country took industrial action this week over a dispute with the Government about new contracts.