AS the NHS celebrates its 72nd birthday tomorrow (July 5) Warrington and Halton Hospitals’ staff and patients will be marking the occasion and joining in the celebrations.
In a sombre reminder of the terrible impact of COVID-19 pandemic, the Trust will join others around the country in remembering those that were lost. At 8pm on Saturday the nation will be asked to light a candle in memory of all those who were lost, with the Trust remembering its own and much missed Joselito Habab RIP, an exceptional nurse and clinical educator who lost his fight in May.
On Sunday at 5pm they will ‘pause for applause’ with the NHS clap ringing out across both our sites. Later on Sunday sunset at 9:45pm will see Warrington Hospital light up blue joining the nationwide #LightitBlue effort in the biggest ‘thank you.’
The Trust will also be sharing messages of thanks to the local communities across Halton, Warrington and further afield, who have come together to support staff and patients during the pandemic.
Chief Executive Professor Simon Constable says: “The support we have received has been simply overwhelming from individual, company and community contributions in a wide range of gestures. We were also extremely grateful to have received a share of the funds raised by NHS Charities, galvanised by the efforts of Captain Sir Tom Moore who alone raised over £30m.
“We are asking everybody to briefly stop what they’re doing and join us to mark this special birthday of our NHS, our national treasure. This is an opportunity to not just thank the NHS, but all the other key workers and those that have volunteered or helped to keep services and community networks going. We want to celebrate and say ‘thank you’ for the collective efforts of everyone that has supported us over recent months.”
The Trust has invited the public and their families to celebrate them and let them know how much they are appreciated by:
·Joining the ‘pause for applause’ (please observe social distancing if coming on to hospital premises)
·Lighting a remembrance candle at 8pm on Saturday
·Follow the social media celebrations where we will be sharing stories on our social media including:
o The longest serving WHH staff, those celebrating their 72nd birthday this year and new starters who have joined the NHS during the pandemic.
o Say ‘thank you’ to our staff, our volunteers and our community – please share a post on social media of staff or teams at WHH that made a difference to you and your loved ones in the last six months – tag @whhnhs and @whhcharity (Twitter) @WarringtonandHaltonHospitalsNhsFoundationTrust and @Warrington and Halton Hospitals Charity (facebook) or @whhnhs (Instagram)using the hashtag #ThankYouTogether.
o Follow #ThankYouTogether for all the latest activities and you can find more information by visiting together.org.uk
o Continue to shape the future of your hospitals by getting involved – If you would to be learn more about our hospitals’ charity and how you can help shape our future direction or get involved in one of our many opportunities, please visit www.whhcharity.org.uk/coronavirus or call 01925 662666 or email: [email protected]
