Celebrating the NHS

On Monday morning I joined the Mayor of Sutton to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the NHS in 1948 and to show our thanks and gratitude to all NHS and social care staff for their incredible work to keep us safe and healthy.

The Coronavirus pandemic has reminded us of those heroes who are working so hard on the frontlines of health and social care, not just during the last 16 months but every day of the last 73 years. I am so proud of our NHS for being awarded the George Cross by the Queen earlier this week, which recognises the hard work of all their staff since its inception.

Along with other Councillors, council officers and members of the public, we raised the NHS flag and held a minute's silence to remember these incredible people who have given so much to keep us, our loved ones and our friends and colleagues safe - as well as caring for those left seriously ill by the virus and, sadly in some case, who lost their lives. We owe them so much.

And on the subject of flags, we've raised the St George's flag above the Civic Offices this weekend and we'll all be cheering on England in the final on Sunday. All the best to Gareth Southgate and the team - and no penalty shootouts please! I'm sure Mr Southgate would agree!