The Queen has awarded the George Cross to the NHS for seven decades of public service including battling Covid-19 as our health service celebrates its 73rd birthday today (Monday 5th July).
Her Majesty praised the ‘courage, compassion and dedication’ shown by staff and said the organisation had the ‘enduring thanks’ of a ‘grateful nation’.
In a personal handwritten message on Windsor Castle-headed paper, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II highlighted the bravery exhibited by frontline workers during the pandemic and said Britain’s highest civilian gallantry medal would recognise ‘all NHS staff, past and present’ on the NHS’ 73rd birthday today.
She wrote: ‘It is with great pleasure, on behalf of a grateful nation, that I award the George Cross to the National Health Services of the United Kingdom. This award recognises all NHS staff, past and present, across all disciplines and all four nations.
‘Over more than seven decades, and especially in recent times, you have supported the people of our country with courage, compassion and dedication, demonstrating the highest standards of public service. You have our enduring thanks and heartfelt appreciation.’
The award of the George Cross by The Queen is made on the advice of the George Cross Committee and the Prime Minister. Details of the presentation of the award will be confirmed at a later date.
It is not yet clear if all NHS staff will be sent a copy of Her Majesty’s rare handwritten letter – but they will not get to use ‘GC’ after their names, because the award is to the NHS as an organisation, not individuals.
The NHS celebrates its 73rd birthday today. After a challenging year, health professionals in Southport are encouraging everyone to join them in giving thanks for our national health service and recognising those who have worked hard to keep our area safe.
Staff at NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG are marking the anniversary of the creation of the NHS by hosting a ‘Big Tea’ event, sharing a ‘Thank You’ video to staff and residents in Sefton and inviting everyone to join in to ‘light it blue’ at home.
Cuppa
Anyone can get involved in the ‘Big Tea’ to say thank you to our NHS by hosting their own tea party and collecting donations for NHS Charities Together. Alternatively, you can join in online by taking a 5 minute brew break, sharing a photo with your cuppa on social media with the hashtag #NHSBigTea and donating to the charity by texting TEA to 70207 to give £5.
Landmarks across the country have also been ‘lighting up blue’ to mark the occasion and show support for the NHS, while also remembering those who have lost their lives to COVID-19. The NHS in Sefton is encouraging everyone to join in this simple act at home to show support for our NHS and remember those we have lost.
Hope
Fiona Taylor, chief officer at NHS South Sefton CCG and NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said: “It has been an extremely challenging year for the NHS in Sefton and across the country, but it has also been one of hope. While caring for around 400,000 seriously ill COVID-19 patients, the NHS has rolled out the biggest vaccination programme in our history.”
“We could not have played our part in these achievements without the skill and dedication of our staff, volunteers, key workers and you, the public, who are supporting our efforts by following social distancing rules and turning up to get vaccinated.”
“We would like to mark the 73rd birthday of the NHS by saying a huge thank you to those who have worked so hard to face these challenges or who have supported us over the last 12 months.”
Celebrations
Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “We would love for everyone in Sefton to join in the birthday celebrations at their own ‘Big Tea’ events with friends and family, while remembering that the ‘Rule of 6’, or two households, still applies indoors. It’s a great opportunity to ‘pour out our thanks’ to NHS teams all over the country who have worked so hard to care for and protect our communities this year.
“You can also join in by ‘lighting up blue’ at home to show your support. Why not dig out the Christmas lights, hang something blue from your house, or simply place a lamp in your window as an act of respect to remember those who we have sadly lost to COVID-19.”
In May, the Council’s Cabinet agreed proposals to grant Aintree and Liverpool University NHS Trust and Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust the Honorary Freedom of the Borough in the light of the hard work and dedication the Trusts’ staff had shown during the ‘devastation of the Covid 19 Pandemic’.
The NHS ‘Big Tea’ is a national celebration and fundraising events organised by NHS Charities Together, the NHS’ national charity partner made up of 240 charity members based with hospitals, mental health, ambulance and community health services across the UK.
If you would like to host your own NHS ‘Big Tea’ event or find out how to support NHS Charities Together, visit their website here: www.nhscharitiestogether.co.uk/nhs-big-tea/
You can find out more about the NHS birthday and activities across the UK on the NHS website here: www.england.nhs.uk/nhsbirthday/.
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