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 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.
rd anniversary of the National Health Service on Monday.
William and Kate, who have dedicated the past year and a half to supporting the work of the NHS and frontline workers throughout the global health crisis, will take the lead at a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on Monday morning.
According to Kensington Palace, the Service of Thanksgiving will celebrate the NHS’s contribution to the country during the pandemic. It will “reflect on the work and achievement of NHS staff, volunteers and carers and look ahead to the future of the organisation.”
The Cambridges will attend the service on behalf of the Royal Family and will join guests including the NHS’s Chief, Sir Simon Stevens; Matron May Parsons, the first person to administer an Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccine dose outside of the clinical trials; NHS staff members who treated the first coronavirus patients in the country; patients who received treatment at the NHS; as well as other leading figures of the N
The video will auto-play soon8Cancel
Play now
Want Stoke-on-Trent news emailed to you direct from our journalists? Sign up to our newsletterInvalid EmailSomething went wrong, please try again later.
Subscribe
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Your information will be used in accordance with ourPrivacy Notice.
Thank you for subscribingWe have more newslettersShow meSee ourprivacy notice
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 Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the NHS at a service of thanksgiving before hosting a tea at Buckingham Palace.
The service at St Paul’s Cathedral will celebrate the NHS’s contribution to the country during Covid-19, reflecting on the work and achievement of health staff, volunteers and carers.
William and Kate will join guests including leading figures in the NHS pandemic response, several hundred members of frontline staff, and patients.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during Beating Retreat at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on their recent visit to Scotland (Jane Barlow/PA)