I believe that some staff are genuinely scared to go to work. Moral injury is certainly a risk and not being able to respond as quickly as they would like to patients or to hand over patients to hospital staff is having a toll on both our crews and call handlers and dispatchers. They feel that they're not doing their job. The increases in staff who are having to self-isolate or unwell or with long COVID, as well as stress-related difficulties, means it's increasing pressure on staff who are in work. I suspect we'll see an increase in mental ill health and physical difficulties once the pressures ease as people start to feel they're able to consider and even notice themselves, rather than keep going just to ensure the service can keep going.

We're also seeing frustration, confusion and sadness when witnessing some of the scenes that the media report of people at large gatherings or not socially distancing after the first lockdown ended, and then, more recently, as many people appear to continue to mix. And sadness that they're not able to take relatives with poorly patients as they would in the past. This is what every member of staff I've spoken to over these past months tells me: the emotional impact on them is immense. One paramedic described the pressure he and his colleagues were under. He said that at one point an incident caused him to question whether he wanted to continue working. He said, 'During the peak of the pandemic last year, I was assaulted by a member of the public when I was spat on in the face, and that's really the only time that I've stopped and gone, "Is this for me?" However, the vast majority of the public', he said, 'have been absolutely fantastic', adding, 'we've had people waving at us and buying us coffee.'

Our social care staff have also been operating under the toughest of conditions. They've seen the people they care for day in, day out pass away in devastating numbers, and without the time to grieve. The impact on them has been huge. They have strived to do their work in the most difficult of times. The fragility of the service and the pressure on staffing has been starker than ever. We've seen numerous examples of whole care homes isolating themselves like islands, separating themselves from family for weeks to protect the residents. The impact on all those in our care family—from carers to cleaners to cooks—must not be forgotten.

We've also seen front-line NHS staff speak about the reality of fighting the pandemic. Respected consultants in Aneurin Bevan health board, such as Ami Jones, David Hepburn and Tim Rogerson, have all voiced their experience and described the pressure they and their colleagues are facing day in, day out. The way that some people have chosen to abuse those people who have simply tried to tell the truth is shocking and deplorable. It deflates the staff who've come off their shift exhausted only to be treated with so little respect. Although these voices are small, the majority of us must do all we can to make sure they're heard and supported. Our front-line staff did not sign up for this, and they deserve so much better.

The COVID pandemic has underlined the challenges that the health and social care workforce face, particular those who are on the front line. Across the system, we have seen first-hand the incredible sacrifices so many have made to protect, help and support the vulnerable, not just on hospital wards, but also in the community. The full impact of this is still unknown, however recent research in England showed that nearly half of intensive care staff reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, severe depression or anxiety. Having a healthy, motivated and supported workforce is in all of our interests, but as we enter the eleventh month of COVID pressures, the NHS is facing one of the most difficult times in its history. Staff across the system are feeling exhausted and fatigued.

The impact of this will be felt by those on the front line for many years to come. It's likely to leave a legacy of long-term COVID-induced mental health issues, and people questioning whether they still want to or are able to stay in the job because of burnout. I know many of those services already have support in place, such as occupational health and well-being services who are able to listen, run drop-in sessions, workshops and signpost to additional help. However, more must be done, and more support must be given by the Government, and the recognition must come with more than warm words and our gratitude. They deserve that. All our health and social care staff have gone into work day in, day out, and worked tirelessly, caring for our loved ones with little respite from this virus. We must do all we can to support them to ensure we look after those who continue to look after us. Extensive support must be put in place to help them both now and in years to come, and as has been said many times, not all heroes wear capes, but we know where many of them work. Diolch.