AS AN employee of the NHS for 23 years, and having worked at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton for the past six years, I wish to inform readers of The Argus that my employer wishes to deny me the right to join in the special national Bank Holiday the Government has created for the Diamond Jubilee.

As a proud Englishman, I admire the dedication and duty demonstrated by Her Majesty the Queen throughout her 60 years of unflinching service.

The hospital trust is trying to force June 5 to be a normal working day, saying we staff can take a day’s holiday “at some other time”. It’s like being in Dickensian England.

A similar situation erupted last year over the Royal Wedding, but the trust relented.

I know it is a difficult time for all of us, but it really feels like we will be charged for the air we breathe soon.

Personally, I have worked Christmas Days, New Year’s Eves and suchlike.

We are very aware of the need to provide a 24-hour service and continue to do so, but when the whole nation is celebrating a national holiday can we not join in, please?

name and address supplied

Is our letter writer’s employer right to prevent people from having time off over the Jubilee? Email letters@theargus.co.uk