Yesterday morning, NHS staff in Wales received an email detailing the terms of the £735 bonus they will be paid in recognition of their work during the pandemic.

The bonus will be be paid in April and May to over 220,000 people including doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants, paramedics and administrators.

All those employed by NHS Wales who have worked for a minimum of one continuous month during the pandemic are eligible.

Students who volunteered to aid the pandemic response will also receive the payment, which will will come to £500 after tax deductions, as will "locum" or bank workers.

Nub News has been speaking with Penarth NHS staff to get their varied reactions.

"It's lovely," says junior doctor Jessica Flint. "I was very surprised to wake up to the email [yesterday] morning as I hadn't heard the original announcement.

"This year has been tough for everyone - particularly NHS staff - so the compensation is a nice thank you.

"I don't think I'm going to go abroad this year, but maybe I'll put the money towards a nice staycation."

Some staff are less impressed.

"It's nice to be appreciated, but I wonder if they're just giving us that to shut us up about the 1% pay rise," says a nurse at Llandough Hospital, who wishes to remain anonymous.

"I'd rather have a pay deal. I haven't had a pay increase since 2010," adds a healthcare assistant.

They are referring to the UK Government's recommendation that nationwide NHS staff should receive a 1% pay rise - a proposal currently being reviewed by an independent body.

When announcing the one-off bonus payment on 17 May, Welsh Government Health Minister Vaughan Gething assured staff this was "not instead of a real pay rise".

He called the UK Government's 1% proposal a 'kick in the teeth" and said: "That's what our pay review bodies are doing so this is in addition to that, in addition to the steps that I've already taken to make sure that there is a real living wage uplift for our NHS staff."

The wife of a local GP told Nub News: "I'd rather see extra holiday days for NHS staff, that's what they really need."

Her husband was unable to provide comment as he was recovering from an additional out-of-hours night shift.