The George Cross is awarded for “acts of the greatest heroism or of the most courage in circumstances of extreme danger”
The Queen has awarded the George Cross to the National Health Service, recognising its staff, both past and present, across the United Kingdom.
Within a handwritten message, the Queen said that the staff of the NHS have acheived their work “with courage, compassion and dedication” for the past 73 years.
Created back in 1940 by King George VI, the George Cross is traditionally awarded by the sovereign in recognition of “acts of the greatest heroism or of the most courage in circumstances of extreme danger”, and has now been given by the Queen to the NHS on the advice of both the George Cross Committee and the country’s Prime Minister.
This comes after Boris Johnson will be revealing how his government plans to “restore people’s freedoms” within England at a news conference at 5pm today, ahead of the final stage of the Prime Minister’s roadmap out of the nation’s COVID-19 lockdown efforts.
In her message, written on Windsor Castle-headed paper, Her Majesty wrote: “It is with great pleasure, on behalf of a grateful nation, that I award the George Cross to the National Health Services of the United Kingdom.
“This award recognises all NHS staff, past and present, across all disciplines and all four nations.
“Over more than seven decades, and especially in recent times, you have supported the people of our country with courage, compassion and dedication, demonstrating the highest standards of public service.
“You have our enduring thanks and heartfelt appreciation.”
And the UK’s newly appointed Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, has since added that: “After a year where it has contributed so much and on its 73rd birthday – it is fantastic that the NHS has been awarded the George Cross by Her Majesty the Queen.
“Thank you to all those who work in the NHS.”
The NHS was established back in 1948 as the centrepiece of the nation’s social reforms after the Second World War, with a goal to provide state-funded comprehensive universal healthcare.
Elsewhere in the country, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are set to celebrate the NHS’s 73rd anniversary by holding a special service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, with its workers being placed “at the heart” of the socially-distanced service.
This comes after there will reportedly be no “legal compulsion” to wear face masks once the coronavirus restrictions in England are lifted, the environment secretary has said, as he said that he will be ditching his face mask when the rules are scrapped.
Later on, the Royal couple will host the NHS Big Tea in Buckingham Palace’s gardens, and pay tribute to those who have gone above and beyond over the course of the coronavirus pandemic.
Respiratory ward nurses, counsellors, care workers, catering managers and housekeeping co-ordinators will be among those meeting the royal couple.
It’s one of several Big Tea events taking place around the UK, which has been organised by the NHS Charities Together organisation, and gives local communities the chance to thank staff and volunteers for their work during the pandemic.
