Queen awards George Cross to NHS to mark pandemic work

BRITAIN's Queen Elizabeth has awarded George Cross, UK's highest award for gallantry and heroism, to National Health Service (NHS) in recognition of health workers' service over seven decades and during the pandemic, Buckingham Palace announced on Monday (5).

"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.

The George Cross is granted in recognition of “acts of the greatest heroism or of the most courage in circumstances of extreme danger”, recognising actions by civilians and military personnel not in the face of the enemy. It is awarded by the Queen on the advice of the George Cross committee and the country’s prime minister.

This will be the third time that George Cross is going to collective body or organisation rather than an individual since its inception in 1940.

NHS staff take part in a march through central London demanding a pay rise on the 73rd birthday of its founding on July 3, 2021 (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

The announcement of the George Cross award comes amid outcry from medical professionals over pay and working conditions in the NHS, which is said to have been pushed close to breaking point during the pandemic.

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 under criticism for offering only a one percent pay rise to the staff.

The Royal College of Nursing wants a 12.5 percent pay rise and has warned large numbers of nurses might leave the profession after the pandemic is over, media reports said.

Already under severe strain even before the pandemic, the NHS has struggled with one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in Europe, which has led to over 128,000 deaths in Britain and nearly five million cases.

Professional bodies reported to have repeatedly warned of severe mental and physical exhaustion in the NHS and a likely exodus of staff, if conditions are not improved.