In 2022, the late Queen Elizabeth presented the George Cross to the NHS for 74 years of dedicated service. Now as part of plans to make sure as many health and social care staff as possible are able to view it, the George Cross will be touring Scotland before being handed over to the National Museums of Scotland for safe keeping.
As part of its tour, NHS Scotland's George Cross is on display at The McManus, throughout the month of August. This will give the people of Dundee and beyond to take a moment and reflect on the contribution of NHS workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The award for heroism was accepted in 2022 by representatives of the NHS from Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland in an audience at Windsor Castle.
It is only the third time in the award's 82 year history that the honour has been presented to an organisation and follows the efforts of health and social care workers across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Accepting the award on behalf of the health service in Scotland at the time was NHSScotland Chief Executive Caroline Lamb, and Eleanor Grant, a palliative care nurse specialist at University Hospital in Wishaw who was named Nurse of the Year at the Scottish Health Awards 2021.
A personal message from The Queen in support of the Award, handwritten by Her Majesty, 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. ELIZABETH R."
Caroline Lamb said:
"We wouldn't be where we are today without our health services. NHS and social care staff have cared for all of us on the frontline of the pandemic. "Thanks to their dedication and duty our NHS has saved countless lives and the George Cross is a symbol of the country's gratitude. I know that the rest of Scotland will join me in paying tribute and giving thanks for everything the NHS and wider social care has done for us not only during the pandemic, but since its formation in 1948.
"The NHS is only the third entity to receive the George Cross and I am truly honoured. This award goes beyond the commitment and personal sacrifices staff have made over the past two-and-a-half years. It reflects the wider admiration and gratitude we all have for the NHS. "I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone working across the health and social care sector for everything they have done, and continue to do, to care for us all."
Background
The George Cross medal was awarded to the NHS in 2021, with HM The Queen presenting the medal to representatives from the 4 nations of the UK in 2022:
The Queen awards the George Cross to the UK's National Health Services | The Royal Family
NHS receives George Cross - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
The Scottish Government is working with NHS Boards to identify suitable locations across Scotland for the George Cross to be made available for staff to see.
It has already been on display at the Scottish Parliament and Edinburgh Castle at NHS 75th Anniversary events and it will be on display as part of a COVID exhibition at The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery & Museum for the month of August. It will be on display at the Scottish Health Awards in Edinburgh in November and will be handed over eventually to the National Museums of Scotland for safe keeping.