The Queen has awarded the George Cross to the National Health Services of the UK, recognising all NHS staff in all four nations.
In a personal, handwritten message, the Queen said NHS staff have carried out their work “with courage, compassion and dedication” for more than 70 years.
The award comes on the 73rd anniversary of the NHS’s foundation.
The George Cross was instituted by King George VI on September 24 1940 during the height of the Blitz, and is granted in recognition of “acts of the greatest heroism or of the most courage in circumstances of extreme danger”.
The award of the George Cross by The Queen is made on the advice of the George Cross Committee and the Prime Minister.
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NHS staff past and present will be awarded the George Cross by Her Majesty the Queen for their heroism in the 73 years since the organisation was established.
Workers across all four nations of the UK have been recognised - not only for the fight against coronavirus but also the routine work they have done for many years helping others.
The Queen has awarded the George Cross to the National Health Services of the UK, recognising all NHS staff in all four nations.
In a personal, handwritten message, the Queen said NHS staff have carried out their work “with courage, compassion and dedication” for more than 70 years.
The award comes on the 73rd anniversary of the NHS’s foundation.
The George Cross was instituted by King George VI on September 24 1940 during the height of the Blitz, and is granted in recognition of “acts of the greatest heroism or of the most courage in circumstances of extreme danger”.
The award of the George Cross by The Queen is made on the advice of the George Cross Committee and the Prime Minister.
The Queen awards the George Cross to the entire NHS
NHS staff past and present deserve the award - and not just for the coronavirus fight
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NHS staff past and present will be awarded the George Cross by Her Majesty the Queen for their heroism in the 73 years since the organisation was established.
Queen awards George Cross to entire NHS for courage during pandemic
Queen makes public a handwritten note in which she praises the courage, compassion and dedication of health workers
The Queen enjoys the Royal Windsor Horse Show on Sunday
Credit: Steve Parsons/PA Wire
The Queen has awarded the George Cross to the entire NHS, making public a handwritten note in which she praises the courage, compassion and dedication of health workers over more than 70 years.
It is only the third time the award – granted in recognition of “acts of the greatest heroism or of the most courage in circumstances of extreme danger” – has been given to a collective body.