Boris Johnson meets NHS heroes as one final clap is held for health workers on NHS’ 72nd birthday
One final clap: Boris Johnson meets the NHS heroes who saved his life and public buildings are lit up for last round of applause for health workers on the NHS’ 72nd birthday
- The Prime Minister met the NHS medics who had treated him during his intensive battle with coronavirus
- He also led the clap, which took place at 5pm, a continuation from the success of the weekly Clap for Carers
- It celebrated the 75th anniversary of NHS and acts as a thank you to its staff working through the pandemic
- He led the clap outside Downing Street, together with Annemarie Plas, the founder of the Clap for Carers
By Milly Vincent For Mailonline
Published: 12:00 EDT, 5 July 2020 | Updated: 17:13 EDT, 5 July 2020
Boris Johnson was joined this evening by the NHS heroes who saved his life as they marked the health service’s 72nd anniversary.
The PM met several NHS workers, including nurses Luis Pitarma and Jenny McGee and Doctors Nick Price and Nicholas Hart, some of the medics who treated him for coronavirus in St Thomas ICU.
Mr Johnson later tweeted: ‘Thank you to the whole NHS family and all of our carers for all you have done and continue to do to keep us well and cared for.
‘In these past few months, indeed the past 72 years, you have represented the very best of this country. Our gratitude to you will be eternal.
‘This evening I was honoured to host those who looked after me at St Thomas’ Hospital at Downing Street, as we celebrate 72 years of our incredible NHS.’
Earlier, he and Clap for Carers founder Annemarie Plas led an applause from the doorstep of Number 10, as thousands of Britons took celebrated the NHS’s anniversary. Ms Plas said she felt ‘very honoured’ to be joining the Prime Minister for the ‘very special moment’.
Second World War veteran and NHS fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore also joined the applause from his home in a video he shared on Twitter. The 100-year-old, who raised millions for the NHS, said: ‘Happy 72nd birthday NHS. Thank you for all that you do for us.’
Paramedic William Young was one of around 25 staff and patients who marked the event outside Bridlington Hospital in Yorkshire.
He said: ‘I’ve worked for Yorkshire Ambulance Service for over 12 years now and I’ve never felt prouder than I have this year. The NHS has really stepped up to the Covid-19 pandemic and some of my colleagues have made some tremendous sacrifices.
‘I think today’s clap has reminded us all that while we are still fighting Covid, we have so much to be grateful for in our NHS.’
St Thomas Hospital Director of Infection and consultant Dr Nick Price, Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Ward Sister Jenny McGee sharing a joke as the Prime Minister talks to the NHS staff that cared for him while he was in Intensive Care
Boris Johnson, Staff Nurse Luis Pitarma and Ward Sister Jenny McGee sharing a joke as the Prime Minister talks to the NHS staff that cared for him
Nurses Jenny McGee (third right) and Luis Pitarma (second right) who looked after Prime Minister Boris Johnson while he was in hospital suffering from Covid-19, arriving at 10 Downing Street
St Thomas Hospital Director of Infection and consultant Dr Nick Price, Director of Respiratory and Critical Medicine Dr Nicholas Hart with Boris Johnson
The Prime Minister talked to the NHS staff that cared for him while he was in Intensive Care in central London to mark the 72nd anniversary of the creation of the NHS
As part of the NHS birthday celebrations NHS staff outside Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, join in the pause for applause
Members of staff of the Leeds General Infirmary gesture to their colleagues from the street as they all participate in a national NHS celebration clap
Members of the emergency services and staff of the Leeds General Infirmary participate in a national NHS celebration clap outside the hospital in Leeds today, to mark its 72nd anniversary
It is hoped the applause will become an annual tradition on the NHS’ anniversary, July 5, with Britons taking to their doorsteps to pay tribute
Super Marine Spitfire PR.X1 ( PL983 ) belonging to the Aircraft Restoration Company based at Imperial War Museum Duxford in Cambridgeshire flies over Lister hospital in Stevenage , Hertfordshire with the words ‘THANK U NHS’
The Spitfire flyover was one of several ways in which Britain celebrated the 72nd anniversary of the NHS today
Kate Middleton cut a ravishing figure in NHS blue as she and Prince William payed a visit to a hospital just a stones-throw away from their Norfolk home
The royal couple met nurse Suzie Vaughan and daughters Hettie and Bella during their visit to the hospital to mark the NHS’s birthday
Members of the emergency services and staff of the Leeds General Infirmary participate in this evening’s clap to celebrate the NHS
As part of the NHS birthday celebrations, Prime Minister, Boris Johnson and Annemarie Plas, founder of Clap For Our Carers, outside 10 Downing Street, London, join in the pause for applause to salute the NHS’s 72nd birthday
Boris Johnson is meeting with NHS workers in the Number 10 garden this afternoon to mark the NHS’s 72nd birthday today
Boris Johnson outside 10 Downing Street, London, joins in the pause for applause to salute the NHS 72nd birthday today
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria Starmer take part in the final Clap For Carers outside their home in north London
Zara Clarke, five, from Southend during the clap for the NHS to celebrate the National Health Service’s 72nd Anniversary at Southend University Hospital Essex
Members of the public applaud outside Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for the 72nd anniversary of the creation of the health service
People across the UK were encouraged to clap for the NHS on Sunday afternoon to mark its 72nd anniversary and to thank staff for their work in tackling the coronavirus pandemic
Members of the public gather together to celebrate the 72nd Anniversary of the founding of the NHS in Tredegar, Wales
Members of the public gathered outside Chelsea and Westminster Hospital this evening for a final clap for carers event
Health workers applaud outside St Thomas’ Hospital on the occasion of the 72nd anniversary of the NHS this evening
This year’s celebration is particularly poignant given the challenging conditions NHS staff have had to work under over the past four months amid the coronavirus outbrea
Boris Johnson urged Britons to take to their doorsteps this evening to celebrate the NHS and pay tribute to its staff
NHS staff outside the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent, join in the pause for applause to salute the NHS 72nd birthday
Members of staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital participate in a national NHS celebration clap outside the hospital in London
Clap of Claps for the NHS to celebrate their 72nd anniversary at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital this evening
It comes as Kate Garraway revealed that her husband Derek Draper has woken from his coma.
Good Morning Britain star Kate, 53, has told Hello! Magazine that her beloved spouse, 52, has finally opened his eyes after being in a coma for 13 weeks amid his battle with coronavirus.
The GMB star was regularly seen joining in with the clap during her husband’s virus battle.
Tonight, Britons took to their doorsteps to clap again and pay tribute to NHS workers amid the pandemic.
The Prince of Wales paid tribute ahead of the event, which it is hoped will become an annual tradition.
Boris Johnson leads tribute to the NHS on its 72nd anniversary
The Prime Minister led an applause to celebrate the NHS this evening, before being joined at Downing Street by the medics who had saved his life during his battle with coronavirus.
He said in a statement: ‘Thank you to the whole NHS family and all of our carers for all you have done and continue to do to keep us well and cared for.
‘In these past few months, indeed the past 72 years, you have represented the very best of this country. Our gratitude to you will be eternal.
‘This evening I was honoured to host those who looked after me at St Thomas’ Hospital at Downing Street, as we celebrate 72 years of our incredible NHS.’
The prince said: ‘The current pandemic means that the NHS – and the entire country – has been through the most testing time in the service’s history.
‘Our remarkably selfless nurses, doctors, paramedics and countless other staff have made costly sacrifices to provide treatment for more than a hundred thousand patients with coronavirus and thousands more who needed other care.
‘And, in tribute to them, we have come together as a nation to thank them for their skill, professionalism and dedication.’
Meanwhile, Sir Keir said the health service had a personal resonance for him as his late mother was a nurse and later relied on the NHS as she became ill.
He said: ‘Many, many times she got gravely ill and it was the NHS that she turned to, and I remember as a boy, a teenager, being in high dependency units, in intensive care units, with my mum, watching nurses and other support staff keep my mum alive.
‘They did that on more than one occasion – it’s etched in my memory. For them, it was just the day job. They were doing that every day.
‘So, it’s very personal for me and I’m very grateful to the NHS and my mum was very grateful, she loved the NHS through the many decades that she absolutely depended on them.’
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also clapped on her doorstep, saying in a tweet: ‘Happy 72nd Birthday, NHS. Thank you for everything.’
The Prime Minister also met NHS workers in the Number 10 garden on Sunday afternoon, while public buildings including the Royal Albert Hall, Blackpool Tower and the Shard have been lit up blue in tribute to the health service.
Public buildings including the Royal Albert Hall, Blackpool Tower and the Shard have been lit up blue in tribute to the health service
Staff at University Hospital of North Tees Hospital in Teesside join in the clap this afternoon to celebrate the 72nd birthday of the NHS
Both Sir Kier Starmer and Prince Charles paid tribute to the NHS in separate messages on Sunday, ahead of the evening’s clap
Members of staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital participate in a national NHS appreciation clap this evening
Speaking at a Downing Street press conference on Friday, Mr Johnson urged the public to clap for ‘those who have worked tirelessly and selflessly to help the nation get through this pandemic’
The clap, which took place at 5pm this evening, was a continuation from the success of the weekly Clap for Carers as a way to thank NHS staff
People arriving at 10 Downing Street, London, this afternoon to attend a reception as part of the NHS birthday celebration
A candle is lit and placed on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street in central London on July 4, 2020 in honour of the tens of thousands of people who have died as a result of the coronavirus pandemic in the UK as the building itself is lit up blue as a tribute to NHS workers and to mark the 72nd anniversary of the NHS
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was among those due to take part in country-wide event, with a candle lit at his official residence at 9pm on Saturday, ahead of the National Health Service’s 72nd anniversary. Pictures showed a Downing Street worker bringing an pre-lit candle outside
As part of the NHS birthday celebrations The London Eye is illuminated blue on Saturday evening, July 4
On Saturday, people observed a minute’s silent and lit candles in remembrance of those who have died during the coronavirus pandemic.
The nationwide clap has been organised following a letter from the Together coalition, in which influential figures including NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens and the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby voiced their support for making July 5 an official day of commemoration.
Sir Simon said he hoped the public will use the anniversary as an opportunity to ‘say a heartfelt thank you’ to hospital staff.
Kate Middleton dresses in NHS blue as she and Prince William visit Norfolk hospital to mark the health service’s 72nd birthday
Kate Middleton cut a ravishing figure in NHS blue as she and Prince William payed a visit to a hospital just a stones-throw away from their Norfolk home.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn, 72 years to the day since the creation of the NHS.
Kate donned a blue shirt dress with a white collar to meet staff at the hospital, which is situated just 20 minutes away from their family home of Anmer Hall on the Royal Sandringham estate.
With her hair swept back in a sleek ponytail, the Duchess of Cambridge beamed as she spoke to staff this afternoon after arriving by car at 5.30pm.
Prince William matched the theme of the day as he donned a blue suit, shirt and tie for the event – the colour synonymous with the NHS.
The royal couple shared afternoon tea with doctors, nurses and other staff at the hospital which will celebrate its own 40th birthday later this month.
Kate Middleton cut a ravishing figure in NHS blue as she and Prince William payed a visit to a hospital just a stones-throw away from their Norfolk home
The Duchess of Cambridge was a picture of joy as she beamed while talking to staff at the hospital. She clutched NHS Knitted Angels
The Duchess of Cambridge held NHS Knitted Angels during the visit to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn
Kate waved at hospital staff and their families who joined in for the special tea party to mark the NHS’s birthday
Happy couple: Kate burst into laughter during their visit as she and William clutched their NHS Knitted Angels
The couple spoke to staff and their families as during today’s visit. Pictures of rainbows and ‘thank you’ cards can be seen on the walls behind them
Radiant: The Duchess of Cambridge beamed as she spoke to hospital staff and their families. The hospital, which serves more than 330,000 people across Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire, has treated 450 patients with Covid-19
Kate grinned as she spoke to a nurse at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, who was joined by her children for the celebration
The royal couple met nurse Suzie Vaughan and daughters Hettie and Bella during their visit to the hospital to mark the NHS’s birthday
Kate beamed during her visit to the hospital. She paired her blue, patterned dress with simple earrings and swept-back hair
William and Kate doused their hands with hand sanitiser during their visit to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Norfolk
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn, 72 years to the day since the creation of the NHS
Kate donned a blue shirt dress with a white collar to meet staff at the hospital, which is situated just 20 minutes away from their family home of Anmer Hall on the Royal Sandringham estate
Prince William perfectly complemented his wife’s outfit as he wore a blue suit, shirt and tie for the event – the colour synonymous with the NHS
The hospital, which serves more than 330,000 people across Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire, has treated 450 patients with Covid-19.
A total of 46 patients have been recruited to the Covid-19 recovery trial, and more than 500 are involved in other coronavirus research.
William and Kate have previously supported the NHS’s efforts during the coronavirus crisis by getting their whole family involved in the Clap for Carers.
The movement took off nation-wide during the pandemic as Britons eagerly conveyed their support for key workers from their doorsteps.
The couple were seen clapping with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Last month, The Duchess visited East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices’ (Each) The Nook for her second socially distanced royal appearance since lockdown restrictions eased in the UK
She talks with Sonny Saunders (seated left), his father, Jordan, and his brother, Hudson (back to camera, right) during the visit on June 27
Last month, The Duchess visited East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices’ (Each) The Nook for her second socially distanced royal appearance since lockdown restrictions eased in the UK.
The visit saw Kate work alongside a volunteer gardener, staff and two families to help create a new horticultural design for a large patio area.
The organisation’s CEO, Tracey Rennie, has revealed how the Duchess was ‘quite keen to come and visit the hospice for some time’ and explained how staff were ‘blown away’ by the plants and flowers she brought.
The Duchess of Cambridge talks with a member of the public as she shops for plants and herbs at her local garden centre earlier in June
