George Cross for NHS staff
THE Queen will award the NHS the country’s highest civilian honour in recognition of health workers’ service during the pandemic, the government announced on Monday (5).
The award of the George Cross, which is the civilian equivalent of the Victoria Cross for extraordinary military heroism, comes amid outcry from medical professionals over pay and working conditions in the NHS, which has been pushed close to breaking point during the pandemic. “This award recognises all NHS staff, past and present, across all disciplines and all four nations,” the Queen, 95, said in a personal message accompanying the award.
“Collectively, over more than seven decades, they have supported the people of our country with courage, compassion and dedication, demonstrating the highest standards of public service.
“You have the enduring thanks and heartfelt appreciation of us all,” she added.
Prime minister Boris Johnson, who was hospitalised with Covid in April last year, said he had “witnessed their courage first-hand”, saying Britain wouldn’t “be where we are today without our health services”.
“I know the whole of the UK is behind me in paying tribute and giving thanks for everything the NHS has done for us not only in the last year, but since its inception,” he added. While Johnson’s government has routinely praised the efforts of NHS workers, instituting a weekly
clap for carers during the first wave of the virus, it has been criticised for offering only a one per cent pay rise to staff.
Dr Kailash Chand OBE was quoted as saying, “I plead to the prime minister to award [the] NHS workforce in England with at least a five per cent
pay rise. Any awards or clapping in absence of a pay rise are seen as an empty gesture.”
Already under severe strain before the pandemic hit, the NHS has had to contend with one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in Europe, which has led to over
128,000 deaths in Britain.
Professional bodies have warned of severe mental and physical exhaustion in the NHS. The Royal College of Nursing wants a 12.5 per cent pay rise for staff and has warned large numbers of nurses could leave the profession.