NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers’ Day
Monday 5 July 2021 marked the first NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers’ Day and the Mayor, Councillor Chris Woodward, hosted a number of events to commemorate the occasion.
At exactly 10am Cllr Woodward was joined by Olufunsho Adetutu Otenaike (VTE Patient Safety Lead, NHS) and Ben Fitzgerald (Emergency Care Support Worker, South East Coast Ambulance) to raise the Thank You flag on the Town Hall in Royal Tunbridge Wells. The same thank you in banner form was hung above the Town Hall steps.
A maroon was fired at 11am marking the start of a two-minute’s silence to remember those who lost their lives in the service of others during the pandemic. The Mayor and Mayoress stood outside the Town Hall together with The Revd Laurence Powell, Vicar of King Charles the Martyr as the Last Post was played by Jon Vanns and Lee Island of Tunbridge Wells Sea Cadets Corps. Members of the public too stopped to pay their respects.
The Mayor then held a thank you reception in the Council Chamber for representatives of the NHS, social care and frontline workers. Joining him to say thank you were Greg Clark MP, Council Leader Tom Dawlings and William Benson, Chief Executive, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.
Such an immense response to a major health concern
During a short speech the Mayor paid tribute to those who ‘fought the fight’ during the pandemic:
‘One cannot fail to recognise the enormous efforts of the staff of the NHS and associated services, the paramedics and ambulance services, the staff of A&E, of medical wards and of intensive care units; the doctors, nurses, orderlies, and cleaners. And all those who worked in our care-homes, which seemed particularly vulnerable.
‘We recognise the enormous increase in hours worked by all involved across the health and care network, and the support they received from their families and friends and others, in dealing with the consequential emotional, as well as physical stresses.’
‘Such an immense response to a major health concern. While saddened by the loss of life and the many sorrows of affected family and friends, we are grateful for the recovery we have witnessed and the contributions of the many. Although we are not out of the woods, we are grateful for the many small and large miracles that we have witnessed.’
Organisations invited to the reception included: MTW NHS, Russell Hotel, Nourish, TWMHR, DAVSS, CAB, Urbaser, Cook, Hollies – Care Home, Greensleeves – Care Home, Warwick Park – Care Home, Little Court – Care Home, Birchwood house Residential Care Home, Garland House Care Home, Milward House Care Home, Beulah Lodge Rest Home, Churchills – Cleaners, Age UK Tunbridge Wells, Zorba, Porchlight.
