After what has been an extremely testing eighteen months for the health service, the Queen has awarded George Cross to NHS staff.
Her Majesty bestowed the award for NHS staff who had worked “with courage, compassion and dedication” over the health service’s 73 year long history.
The Queen awarded the George Cross writing a handwritten message that read: “It is with great pleasure, on behalf of a grateful nation, that I award the George Cross to the National Health Services of the United Kingdom.
“This award recognises all NHS staff, past and present, across all disciplines and all four nations.
“Over more than seven decades, and especially in recent times, you have supported the people of our country with courage, compassion and dedication, demonstrating the highest standards of public service.
“You have our enduring thanks and heartfelt appreciation.”
However, the news was met with cynicism and outrage as many questioned why this was awarded, rather than a pay rise for healthcare workers.
One Twitter user emphasised the point perfectly, as they posted an image of a nurse with an empty wallet and captioned it: “I’m so sorry.......do you accept The George Cross?”
"I'm so sorry.......do you accept The George Cross?" pic.twitter.com/VZaWbVfsAn
— Dr Meenal Viz (@drmeenalviz) July 5, 2021
Another wrote: “Giving the NHS a George Cross is so WW2, so utterly unimaginative, so very Boris Johnson - so school of the empty pit of ideas.
“Give the NHS staff proper respect and a pay rise instead. That would mean something.”
Giving the NHS a George Cross is so WW2, so utterly unimaginative, so very Boris Johnson - so school of the empty pit of ideas. Give the NHS staff proper respect and a pay rise instead. That would mean something.
— Otto English (@Otto_English) July 4, 2021
Although members of staff won’t actually receive an individual medal, it didn’t stop people joking about having to sell it to cover cost.
One Twitter user joked that nurses would have to sell the medal to be able to afford the hospitals’ astronomical car parking charges.
They wrote: “Ebay will be busy today... Thousands of NHS staff trying to sell their George Cross to pay for carpark charges....”
Ebay will be busy today... Thousands of NHS staff trying to sell their George Cross to pay for carpark charges....
— Rodders 🚩🌹🏴☠️ (@rodjgrimmer) July 5, 2021
How much can you sell a George Cross for?
— Adam Kay (@amateuradam) July 5, 2021
And many were outraged, calling the gesture an “insult” to the staff who have worked so hard over the pandemic.
Added to the clapping and the Thank You Day, is now The George Cross. Gestures have become insults. It’s 15%; ending privatisation & bringing social care into the NHS, that we demand & deserve.
— Howard Beckett (@BeckettUnite) July 5, 2021
“But what do you mean you won’t accept the George Cross as this month’s rent?” pic.twitter.com/mEp3eJ3n4Q
— Amanda (@Pandamoanimum) July 5, 2021
Because what NHS staff really want is not a pay rise that will prevent nurses having to use food banks, but claps, a badge and the George Cross. pic.twitter.com/RCD4NcPXBF
— David Schneider (@davidschneider) July 5, 2021
Will the response change anything? We’ll have to wait and see.
