In commemoration of the health service’s 75th anniversary, the George Cross medal that was awarded to NHS England last year will tour the UK, NHS Chief Executive, Amanda Pritchard, has today announced.
Awarded by the late Queen following NHS staff’s heroic efforts during the pandemic, last year marked only the third time in British history the highest civilian gallantry medal had been given to an organisation, following Malta in 1942 and the Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1999.
The honour was bestowed upon Pritchard and May Parsons, the person who administered the first ever approved Covid-19 vaccine. And now, the medal will make its way through the country’s most prestigious Science Museums this summer, allowing members of the public and staff alike to pay homage to the heroic efforts that led to the honour.
From the 6th of July, the George Cross will make its tour debut in London, becoming a temporary addition to Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries, the largest museum in the world dedicated to the history of medical healthcare.
February 2024 will see the medal travel to Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum before moving onto Bradford’s National Science and Media Museum in July and then eventually finishing with a trip to the South West in 2025.
Amanda Pritchard said: “For 75 years, NHS staff have served our country – this year’s anniversary is an opportunity to reiterate our thanks to them, as well as to celebrate the history and achievements of the NHS, from the first organ transplants through to mass vaccination programmes which have saved thousands of lives.
“We were honoured to receive the George Cross from the late Queen on behalf of the NHS and I am delighted that – through our partnership with the Science Museum Group – NHS staff, volunteers and local communities will get to see the medal up close.”
May Parsons added: “I was humbled and honoured to receive the George Cross, alongside Amanda, on behalf of the NHS and I am delighted it will be going on a tour during the NHS’s 75th year for staff, volunteers and the public to see.
“The George Cross is a truly fitting tribute to thousands of NHS staff and volunteers who went above and beyond during the pandemic and continue to do so every day.”
