Emergency department staff at two Ayrshire hospitals were thanked for their hard work during the Rapid Relief Team's (RRT) second A&E Appreciation Week, held at hospitals and clinics across the UK.
The charity organised two events at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock and University Hospital Ayr, where 15 volunteers served refreshments to more than 400 workers. The initiative gave teams the opportunity to pause, connect with colleagues, and feel appreciated for their work on the frontline.
Survey highlights public concerns
The events followed a new RRT survey of 2,063 UK adults about their views on the UK's A&E service. It found 69 per cent of those surveyed in Scotland would think twice about going to A&E this winter because of the pressure the NHS is under.
Meanwhile, 79 per cent of Scots surveyed agreed that A&E staff do not receive enough recognition for the work they do. A further 77 per cent of respondents backed a suggestion that staff should be able to refuse to treat patients who are abusive.
Volunteers serve refreshments
The nationwide appreciation week involved more than 400 volunteers running more than 130 coffee and cake events at departments across the UK, giving more than 10,000 A&E staff a break and a boost to their wellbeing.
Martin Cook, RRT Local Team Leader, said: "With another tough winter likely on the horizon in Scotland, it's so important that the A&E staff who work so hard over this period are properly acknowledged for their tireless work.
"A&E Appreciation Week aims to show our gratitude. It was brilliant to see staff at Crosshouse Hospital and University Hospital Ayr enjoying a well-earned coffee and cake break and recharging their batteries before another busy shift.
"We hope the second year of A&E Appreciation Week lets them know that the effort they put in doesn't go unnoticed."
Call for national recognition
A&E Appreciation Week was set up by the RRT last year to give the public a chance to thank emergency department teams, whose work often happens out of sight and goes unrecognised.
The charity, made up of volunteers from the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, is calling for the week to be formally designated as an annual national event. Two-thirds of respondents in the recent survey said they would support an official national week to recognise A&E staff.
The research suggests A&E staff feel less appreciated than they did a few years ago, with 77 per cent of people believing the public showed more appreciation for NHS staff during the pandemic than it does today. Only care workers were ahead of A&E staff in the rankings of groups that receive the least recognition from the public.
Ross Norman, RRT UK Head of Operations, said: "A&E teams are there for all of us when things go wrong, and they're doing it under huge pressure. It's worrying that so many people now say they'd think twice about going to A&E, and that staff are still facing abuse while they're trying to help.
"People feel A&E staff aren't being thanked enough for what they do, and two thirds would back a national week to put that right.
"A coffee and a slice of cake won't fix the pressures on the NHS, but it's a chance for staff to stop for a few minutes and hear that people are grateful. We want to see A&E Appreciation Week officially recognised so that it happens every year."
Jennifer Wilson, Nurse Director at NHS Ayrshire & Arran, added: "After A&E Appreciation Week, I want to thank all of our colleagues working in emergency care for their professionalism, compassion and dedication. Every day, our teams provide expert care to people at some of the most difficult moments in their lives.
"We know that our emergency departments continue to face significant pressures, and I am incredibly proud of how staff consistently go above and beyond to deliver safe, high-quality care. The week was an opportunity to recognise and celebrate their commitment, expertise and the vital role they play in supporting our communities."
