I was disappointed to read the COVID-19 budget released earlier this week.

Why? Because no money was dedicated to St John.

If the pandemic gets as bad as the government is predicting it will, why are we not allowing extra funds to help the people that will be picking up and dropping off those who are sick, the people going into homes, the people who have to do their normal job alongside dealing with coronavirus?

Ambulance staff are strapped for cash and resources as it is – why would you not fund them, too, in our time of need?

People in the medical field – doctors, nurses and ambulance staff – are the ones taking the biggest risks to keep the rest of us healthy. I am glad to see there was a lot of money dedicated to hospitals but let's not forget about our ‘hospitals on wheels' either.

I at least hope some of the money dedicated to stockpiling goes towards St John to replenish their supplies and provide more personal protection equipment for their staff.

F McGrath, Bethlehem.