Sunderland joins in with national round of applause on 72nd birthday of NHS

A national clap took place at 5pm on Sunday, July 5 to mark the service’s birthday. The NHS began serving the nation on July 5, 1948.

Among those joining the applause were front line staff at Sunderland Royal Hospital, who also gave a rousing rendition of ‘Happy Birthday Dear NHS’.

For the first 10 weeks of coronavirus lockdown, millions of people showed their gratitude by applauding the NHS every Thursday at 8pm.

The practice was revived for the anniversary and could become an annual event.

More than 100,000 people have been treated for Covid-19 nationally, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, with many more being cared for at home.

Eight NHS Nightingale hospitals, including one next to Nissan in Sunderland, were built within weeks.

All of them remain on standby, and the Government's latest figures show that 44,220 people have died from coronavirus in the UK.

The total number of people who have tested positive for the illness on Wearside remains at 1,761. The number of Covid-19 fatalities within the South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust stands at 325.

Houghton and Sunderland South MP, Bridget Phillipson, tweeted on Sunday: “Today we wish a happy 72nd birthday to our NHS.

“I pay tribute to all NHS workers who put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe during the crisis. From the bottom of my heart: thank you.”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted: “Fantastic to come together on the NHS’s 72nd birthday to once again clap for all our carers. Thank you all for everything you do.”

Sir Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, said: “It’s been the most challenging year in the history of the NHS and staff from across the health service have pulled out the stops like never before to deliver extraordinary care.

“From the domestic workers on the Covid-19 wards who have worked tirelessly to keep hospitals clean, to medical students heading the call for 111 call handlers and IT professionals working around the clock to keep services running, the NHS has mobilised to tackle this once in a lifetime global pandemic.”

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