NHS staff honoured for role in pandemic
NHS heroes will be awarded the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Sefton for their “courageous work” during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sefton Council has called an Extraordinary Council Meeting to take place at Bootle Town Hall today (Thursday, January 16) where the honour will be presented.
Staff from NHS organisations which serve people around Sefton will be honoured.
The motion says: “This council wishes to place on record its high appreciation of, and the debt of gratitude of the borough to Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust in light of their dedicated and courageous work during the Covid-19 Pandemic and that they be granted the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Sefton.”
A civic reception will take place to recognise all those in our local NHS, who ‘served Sefton Council and its residents tirelessly throughout the pandemic with hard work and dedication putting themselves at risk in ensuring the safety of others.’
Cllr Ian Maher, leader of Sefton Council, said: “There can be no doubt that throughout the coronavirus pandemic, NHS staff have worked tirelessly.
“They have selflessly put themselves and to protect the people of Sefton.
“These organisations illustrate perfectly why the National Health Service is seen by most as the jewel in Britain’s
crown and it would seem appropriate to mark their steadfast service by conferring the Honorary Freedom of the Borough on them.”
Conferring the Freedom of the Borough upon an individual or service is the highest honour the council can bestow.
It gives the receiving organisation ‘the right, privilege, honour and distinction of marching through the streets of the borough on all ceremonial occasions with colours flying, bands playing, drums beating and bayonets fixed’.
Previous organisations to have been granted Freedom of the Borough include RAF Woodvale, in 2011, and No 238 (Sefton) Squadron, 156 Regiment, Royal Corps of Transport, in 1982.
Individuals who have had the honour bestowed upon them include Jamie Carragher, in 2004, and Donald “Ginger” McCain in 2006.
Scrolls of Honorary Freemen and organisations awarded Freedom of Entry to the Borough are displayed in the Mayor’s Parlour at Bootle and Southport Town Halls.
Honorary Freemen can also attend and take part in civic receptions and functions to which all members of the council are invited.
The costs of the scroll and reception for Aintree and Liverpool University NHS Trust and Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust would be financed from the Mayoral Hospitality budget provision.