This weekend, everyone is being urged to say a big thank you to all of our key workers, to celebrate 73 years since the founding of the NHS on July 5th.
The last year has seen the NHS faced with the challenge of a lifetime, as many continue to work hard in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Hospitals were tasked with caring for around 400,000 seriously ill Covid patients, all whilst the NHS was responsible for the largest vaccination programme in health service history.
Whilst this last year has undoubtedly been challenging, it has also been a year of great hope – and the NHS want to celebrate this anniversary by saying thank you to all those who made these achievements possible.
On Sunday 4th July, the eve of the NHS’ birthday, the public are being encouraged to celebrate national Thank You Day, to recognise and celebrate the work of our NHS staff, as well as all key workers and others in our communities who have helped us through this challenging year.
Dr Stewart Findlay chief officer for NHS County Durham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and clinical director of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme in the North East and North Cumbria, said: ‘In the last year, there has been an unprecedented focus placed upon the work of the NHS and it has been thanks to our incredible key workers that we have achieved so much.
“From nurses and cleaners to doctors and shelf stackers, it has been our key workers who have kept us going in challenging times.
“Their individual efforts have helped greatly in the ongoing fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and their tireless work has been essential in providing quality care to those affected by the virus, as well as conducting a world-leading national vaccination programme”.
You can find out more about Thank You Day, and get details of events happening in your local area here.
This year also sees the return of The NHS Big Tea on Monday July 5th. This is a chance for communities to come together to thank NHS staff and each other for the huge role they have played over the last year.
At 3pm, the public are being encouraged to join in a national tea break, and raise a mug of collective thanks to every clinician, nurse, support worker, hospital porter and paramedic who’s put themselves on the line this year to keep us and our loved ones safe.
You can join in the virtual event online, or sign up to host your own Big Tea event here.