Marking the NHS 72^nd Anniversary

On 5 July 2020, it will be 72 years since the NHS and our social care system was established.

During the last few months, the NHS, and the staff of NELFT, have been through the greatest test of lifetime. 2020 has been the most challenging year in NHS history, and we continue to deal with the many challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic for the foreseeable future.

This year, the anniversary is an opportunity to recognise, reflect and remember. To recognise the skills, commitment, achievements, compassion and diversity of all 1.9 million people, across more than 350 different professions that make up the NHS.

Every single one of our staff members has worked so hard to ensure that our organisation coped and continues to cope with the additional pressures we have faced. As such, we want to use this opportunity to thank them once again for all they have done, and all they continue to do.

Everyone across the NHS is hugely grateful to the thousands of former doctors, nurses and other health service staff who came out of retirement to battle coronavirus, the fellow key workers – from bus drivers and refuse collectors to social care staff and teachers – who kept the country running and, of course, all those who stopped the spread of the virus by following the expert advice and staying home to save lives.

Everyone has had a part to play and, in the most difficult days, front line workers were sustained by the support of the public.

Moment of remembrance – Saturday 4 July

We have experienced many difficult times during these months, including the loss of much loved colleagues. So this year, as we remember all those we have lost, the way we mark our anniversary will have a different feel to years gone by.

On Saturday 4 July we will be using this occasion to remember those we have lost as part of NELFT. This is a chance for the nation to come together and pay our respects, this is being led by the Together Coalition. We encourage you to join us on Saturday 4 July at 8pm to remember all those we have lost by putting a light in their window or on their doorstep. This could be a candle, a lamp or a torch.

As part of this collective memorial, and as a mark of respect and tribute to NHS staff, key workers and everyone who has played their part during the pandemic, iconic landmarks including the London Eye, Royal Albert Hall, Blackpool Tower, and Wembley Arch will be illuminated in blue.

NHS England is calling on sports stadiums, bridges, castles, monuments, conference venues and landmarks to join in lighting up our skylines and cities on the evening of 4 July.

 

#ThankYouTogether – Sunday 5 July at 5pm

We, together with the larger NHS, want to use our 72nd anniversary as an opportunity to say thank you back to our community at large. To thank them for helping us to help them. Every week of the pandemic, we have seen the communities we are here to serve show their love and appreciation for the NHS and carers.

We’ve had donations of prayer mats and meals for staff and patients celebrating Ramadan and Eid Mubarak, food, clothing, PPE, personal hygiene products, monetary donations to our Health Way Foundation, not to mention all of the wonderful drawing of rainbows to brighten our windows and corridors. There have also been so many who have done their bit during the difficult weeks of lockdown.

In the run-up to July 5th, NHS England wants to fill the country with personalised thank yous, to everyone who has helped us through the crisis. Be creative, and make your thank yous as eye catching and memorable as possible! To give you some inspiration, artists and designers have come together to create special thank yous for you to customise and put in your windows for the world to see. Just download your favourite one here, colour it in, and add the name of the person you’d like to say thank you to. Could be the nurses and doctors, posties and delivery people, or maybe your mum, dad, or neighbour.

You can also join in by RSVPing to the NHS Charities Together’s Biggest Thank You Ever. By joining in you can received posters, celebrity recipes, and decorations to help mark the day.

In honour of the exemplary hard work and dedication you have given, everyone is invited at 5pm on Sunday 5 July to join in on the biggest, loudest, and final clap for carers and key workers.

Broadcasters will suspend normal transmissions at 5pm.

Everybody will be encouraged to stop what they’re doing and join with others (following social distancing advice of course) in their streets or neighbourhoods to applaud not just the NHS and other key workers but all those who have volunteered or helped keep services and community networks going.

Following the applause, everyone is encouraged to enjoy a drink or a cup of tea and reflect with family, friends and neighbours on the bonds that have sustained us in recent months and will continue to do so.