In the ongoing battle against COVID-19, women have emerged as the unsung heroes within the National Health Service (NHS), constituting over three quarters of its 1.3 million-strong workforce. From nurses and health visitors to ambulance staff, scientific experts, managers, and beyond, women have been pivotal in delivering top-tier care throughout the pandemic.
One of the notable figures in this effort is Dr. Emily Lawson, serving as the Chief Commercial Officer, along with Dr. Nikki Kanani, the Medical Director of Primary Care, who have played integral roles in orchestrating the largest vaccination campaign in NHS history.
The statistics speak volumes about the significant contribution of women within the NHS. They make up a staggering 88.6% of nurses and health visitors, 42.5% of ambulance staff, 77.6% of scientific and technical personnel, and 62% of management roles. Overall, women constitute 76.7% of the NHS workforce, showcasing their indispensable presence in every aspect of healthcare delivery.
Despite the daunting challenges posed by the pandemic, women have persevered and led the charge in the vaccination rollout, achieving remarkable milestones. Thanks to their dedication and resilience, the NHS has successfully vaccinated over 19 million individuals across England, marking a milestone in Europe's swiftest vaccination campaign.
As we commemorate International Women’s Day, let us acknowledge and applaud the invaluable contributions of women within the NHS, whose tireless efforts continue to inspire hope and resilience in the face of adversity. Together, they exemplify the spirit of courage, compassion, and dedication, shaping a healthier and brighter future for all.
Commenting on the trials and tribulations of last year, Dr Emily Lawson said:
“I could not be prouder of all that we have achieved collectively over the past year, with many thousands of my colleagues who are women forming the driving force of the vaccination rollout.
“Being a part of the biggest vaccination drive in NHS history has been the privilege of my career. It is an incredible team effort and as well as offering people huge hope in the pandemic it is saving people’s lives.
“When you think about the host of COVID heroes, so many women spring to mind – from May Parsons who administered the first jab to Nikki Kanani leading the way in primary care and encouraging uptake in BAME communities. While the last year has been the toughest in most of our lives, it has never been a prouder time to be a woman working in the NHS.”
NHS England medical director of primary care Dr Nikki Kanani added:
“From juggling home-schooling, to supporting primary care teams around the country to adjust to a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic and appearing at multiple Downing Street press conferences, it has been a year like no other.
“COVID has had a huge impact on all of our lives and I have been so proud of the way my colleagues across the NHS have adapted to the challenges we have faced in the last 12 months.
“I have continued to work as a general practitioner throughout the pandemic but have also used my role as NHS England Medical Director of Primary Care to navigate practices across England through a rapid change, from almost entirely face-to-face work, to almost completely digital and remote work.
“It has presented a host of challenges to family doctors and their teams, who have stepped up and adapted to the change while also more recently being a core part of the largest vaccination programme in NHS history.
“Like my colleagues, I have been helping to vaccinate the most vulnerable, and last month I launched the NHS blueprint to increase vaccine confidence, which has become a hugely important part of our roll out.
“It’s vital that everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or class, benefits from the vaccine, which is the fastest and safest way to open up our communities again.”
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