Leeds to join the nation in one more clap for carers as NHS marks 72nd birthday

Leeds is set to join the rest of the nation this weekend as one final Clap for Carers is held to mark the 72nd birthday of the NHS.
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There are events planned throughout the weekend, such as a moment of remembrance and reflection this evening for those lost during the pandemic by placing a light in windows or on doorsteps, but the culmination of the celebrations will be when the country pauses at 5pm on Sunday to applaud all those who helped during the pandemic.

At the height of the pandemic from flats in Leeds Dock to the terraces of Beeston and the suburbs of Adel, people stood on their doorsteps or poked their heads out of windows to join their neighbours in showing their appreciation for healthcare, emergency and key workers.

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Turning the city blue. Leeds lit up at a previous Clap for Carers.Turning the city blue. Leeds lit up at a previous Clap for Carers.
Turning the city blue. Leeds lit up at a previous Clap for Carers.
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The public outpouring was a great comfort to those workers putting themselves at risk to help others and still stirs emotion now.

Judith Shackleton is a senior sister on the cardio and neuro outpatients department at Leeds General Infirmary.

She told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "It was overwhelming that we were getting all this attention because we were doing a job that we were trained to do and is second nature to us. I can feel the emotion now talking about it. We had lots of donations, most areas if not all areas of the hospital benefited in some way from the gifts that had been donated whether it was toiletries, food, meals or personal things like bands to help the masks feel more comfortable. The rainbows in the windows were really quite humbling, we felt that love."

Susan Pickard is a staff nurse on the department and has been in the profession for 42 years and had never known anything like it before.

Cameraderie among colleagues.Cameraderie among colleagues.
Cameraderie among colleagues.
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She said: "It was quite humbling as nurses. I have never known that to happen. Every day there were people wanting to give us things. The Clap for Carers was emotional and something we looked forward to every Thursday. I did it for supermarket and delivery drivers getting the food to us - it was very humbling.

"I could have jumped the queue in Aldi but I felt embarrassed to show my badge to not queue. But there was a lot of love out there and I hope that people don't forget about the NHS because people do try to bring us down and I hope people stop and think that we are trying to do our best."

History

On July 5 1948, the NHS was launched by Aneurin Bevan, Minister of Health, at Park Hospital in Manchester (known today as Trafford General Hospital).

For the first time, hospitals, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, opticians and dentists were brought together under one umbrella to provide care for free and since then, the NHS has transformed the health and wellbeing of the nation.

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