WHILE not wishing to enter the debate on the strike by GPs, the majority of whom do a fantastic job, I did want to highlight the plight of other caring professionals who find it less easy to garner public attention.

Carers work around the clock in all weathers and all times of the year – including Bank Holidays, Christmas and Easter. They do a tough and challenging job, bringing vital care to help people retain their quality of life, independence and dignity.

And they do all this for extremely modest pay or in some cases no pay at all. They rarely grumble and never resort to industrial action.

Isn’t it time that as a society we recognised these unsung heroes and many others like them and put proper funding into social care to enable them to be properly rewarded for a job well done and appreciated by hundreds of thousands of people?

Mike Padgham, Chair, Independent Care Group (York and North Yorkshire) Eastway, Eastfield, Scarborough.