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NHS nursing staff receive Pride of Britain award for work during COVID-19 pandemic

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge praise ‘dedicated NHS staff’ while presenting special award

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge praise ‘army of dedicated NHS staff’ while presenting Special Recognition award

From left to right: intensive therapy unit support nurse Martha Sarpong; hospital porter Heder Lopes Landim, TV presenter Kate Garraway; intensive care matron Keisha Mills and healthcare assistant Marian Jones celebrate the Pride of Britain Awards

NHS workers across the UK have received a Pride of Britain award presented by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, in recognition of their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Special Recognition award was presented by the royal couple to staff members from Barts Health NHS Trust and Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, who accepted the award on behalf of all NHS workers.

Intensive care matron says award will help as NHS staff face second wave

Among them was St Bartholomew’s Hospital intensive care matron Keisha Mills, who said it was ‘honouring’ for NHS staff to be recognised for their work during the first wave of the pandemic.

‘It was probably the most challenging time in my working career,’ she said.

‘We were anxious. We had a lot of fear about catching it and taking it home, but we knew we had a duty. We showed up to work determined to give the best care possible.’

Ms Mills, who described meeting the royal couple was ‘exciting, great, fantastic’ and ‘a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’, added that the recognition will help as the country copes with the second COVID-19 wave

Royal couple praises ‘humility and compassion’ of NHS staff

When presenting the award, Prince William said: ‘We cannot thank you enough. On behalf of a grateful nation, it is a tremendous honour for Catherine and I to present this special recognition award to the army of dedicated NHS staff.’

He said the impact of the virus reminded the nation how much is owed to the NHS and its staff. ‘They have worked tirelessly around the clock with humility and compassion in the most challenging of circumstances, putting their own lives on the line to help others.’

The Duchess added: ‘All NHS staff have played a crucial role through this time. During lockdown we joined people up and down the country to applaud the NHS and our key workers each week. Their hard work still goes on and we remain indebted to them for all they do.’

The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB Bank, was held virtually and aired on ITV on Sunday 1 November.


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