Join ‘Outstanding’ Royal Surrey To Mark 72 Years Of The NHS: Clap For Key Workers

Published on: 4 Jul, 2020
Updated on: 4 Jul, 2020

This Sunday (July 5) marks 72 years since the National Health Service (NHS) began. Staff at Guildford’s Royal Surrey County Hospital will be marking the occasion by thanking hard-working partners and key worker staff across the county and are inviting people to join in.

Celebrating staff members at the Royal Surrey County Hospital. Would you share your memories and stories about the NHS?

At 5pm, staff who are working at the hospital, now recognised as ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, will gather outside to express their thanks for their key worker partners and members of the public. They are hoping that the wider community will join in the applause from their doorsteps.

Catherine Keeton, 72, a scrub nurse at the Royal Surrey for 12 years, has been a nurse for 40 years.

In a statement, the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust said: “During the last few months, the NHS has been through the greatest test in its lifetime and is using this anniversary as an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to all the key workers and organisations who have also been affected.

The chief executive of the trust, Louise Stead, said: “Although the last few months have been challenging for the NHS and us at the Royal Surrey, we have been blown away by the support and kindness shown by our local community.

“Every week of the pandemic, we have seen the people we are here to serve show their love and appreciation for the NHS with words of encouragement, rainbow posters and kind donations.

NHS saved my life Facebook comment.

“We could not do our job without the backing of the community and the support of other key workers including local emergency services, delivery drivers, shop workers and teachers.

“Please take to your doorsteps at 5pm on Sunday to applaud our community and partners.”

Throughout the week the trust has shared photographs of staff members on its social media channels, encouraging people to comment with their NHS stories. Post your comments on the RSCH Facebook page or send them to The Guildford Dragon NEWS and we will publish them.