Honouring the NHS staff …….. through Covid

Now I am fully aware that Covid has not gone away, but it does also now feature as a piece of history with historians, and the media exploring the outbreak, the measure taken to combat it and of course the human tragedy.

And quite rightly the work of NHS staff has been recognized in many different ways.

 Like many we stood on the doorstep and clapped along with our neighbours, had family members receive special treatment in supermarkets, but remain dismayed that NHS pay has not really been upped to reflect that contribution.

 So I was interested at this medal which has been acquired by David Harrop.

 I am not sure who the medal was issued to and anyway would not want to include a name.

 I know that it was awarded by the MidYorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust who have written it has given “staff members a medal to thank them for their service during COVID-19.

 All staff received £100 and four hours additional annual leave. Stephen Southern, senior consultants at the hospital worked with a local company to commission and produce the design.

 The design has been done in such a way that it could be adapted for other trusts and organisations. 

They determined a set of criteria for who qualified to receive a medal (essentially all staff on their payroll and working in post between March 2020 and April 2021), including volunteers and specific agency staff who worked with them during the pandemic.

 To help the trust roll this out, everyone was asked to make sure their address details were up to date on the self-service HR system. 

They communicated this with teaser posts on social media, creating a hashtag and encouraging as many people as possible to post. 

The medals have been very well received by staff and the trust has had enquires from a number of other trusts and public sector organisations”. *

 Location; Yorkshire

 Picture; the Covid 19 medal and citation, courtesy of David Harrop

*NHS Employers, https://www.nhsemployers.org/case-studies/rewarding-and-recognising-throughout-covid-19-pandemic

 

The 51 ............ today and all this week in St Peter's Square ....

Now, here is an exciting intsallation, which "celebrates the ongoing courage and dedication of NHS Staff and all key workers during the pandemic and captures the extraordinary experiences that have connected us through these most challenging of times"

I came across it on the last night's BBc local television news, and resolved that I would zip into town today and take a look.

And it fulfilled my expecations reinforcing.  

We will all have family and friends who work in the NHS, and in particular in the frontline during Covid, and who have worked so hard.

 Leaving me just to qoute from the official site, which also gives details of how to apply for tickets to view the "51".

"Gratitude is a spectacular public art installation, created by global public art producers Wild in Art, which honours and pays tribute to the ongoing courage and dedication of NHS Staff and all key workers during the pandemic and captures the extraordinary experiences that have connected us through these most challenging of times.

Free to visit, the exhibition has been curated in partnership with creative ambassador Dame Zandra Rhodes and consists of 51 sculptures, all designed by professional artists and designers from across the UK.

Enclosed by mirrors on two sides, Gratitude creates infinite reflections of the stunning artwork highlighting the endless dedication of all key workers, and enables visitors to become part of an immersive experience and reflecting the contributions of the entire population.

You can visit Gratitude at St Peter's Square, Manchester from 03-12 September 2021 before it moves on  to visit Edinburgh and London.

In autumn 2021, the sculptures will be auctioned with substantial proceeds donated to NHS Charities Together (Registered Charity Number 1186569), which supports the NHS, including its hospitals, ambulance services, community and mental healthcare providers and vital partnerships".

Location; Manchester

Pictues, "The 51", 2021, from the collection of Andrew Simpson

*Gratitude Manchester, https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gratitude-manchester-tickets-166307198307

Glass, reflections ....... and the new build at the MRI ……..

It’s the picture we all take at sometime ….. that mix of glass and reflected buildings, which in this case is the new corridor in the sky.

I have to admit to not having been down to Outpatients for almost a year, and usually don’t take a camera.

But it was an early appointment, the sun was shining and what better way to while away a bit of time while waiting to be collected?

In the last three years I can lay claim to having been a regular visitor at three of our local hospitals, with an option on another two back at the beginning of the century.

And like so many people I am impressed with the dedication and professionalism of the staff, and the treatment I have received.

Yesterday was just a blood test, but one under Covid conditions. There were fewer people, dedicated and sign posted routes, and more staff ensuring I got to where I needed to be.

The procedure was quick leaving me more time than I bargained, but  the sun was out, the sky was blue and all around me the NHS just got with the business of caring for people.

And that is it.  I pondered on writing about the National Health Service, and the history of the MRI, but some of that I have already done.

So it’s just sun, blue sky and a new building.

Location; Grafton Street

Pictures; The MRI, 2021, from the collection of Andrew Simpson