WE HAVE clapped as a thank you, now we need to show our real appreciation to health and care workers.

They have shown commitment and compassion, working under extremely difficult conditions and they have suffered as a result.

What is needed is more than nice words.

Both the NHS and the care sector have too many vacancies.

That makes it difficult to organise the rotas and many employees are forced to work more than their fair share.

A large pay rise for those on very low pay is required as soon as possible to help retain experienced staff and attract more applicants.

A one-off payment will not achieve this.

Is the money available? Not if it carries on being taken to tax havens by millionaires, but if the political will was there this could stop.

Too many staff have been outsourced, ie transferred to private companies, which pay less than the NHS.

Whether it is cleaning or any other job in hospitals or care homes, it has to be done to high standards, and private companies will cut corners to make a profit.

Bring all those workers back into the NHS, pay them a real living wage, make them feel valued and part of the NHS team.

Abelardo Clariana-Piga

Southampton