Coronavirus pandemic has taught us that we need to focus on social care - YEP Editor, Laura Collins

It was hard not to feel moved as the nation came together for a collective celebration of our arduous journey over the last few months for one final time.

At 5pm yesterday, the sound of applause carried through the air once more as people took to their doorsteps to cheer loudly and honour the remarkable efforts of key workers and volunteers during the pandemic.

It was a fitting way to mark the National Health Service’s 72nd birthday.To date, more than 100,000 hospital inpatients have been treated for Covid-19 in the UK, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, along with many more who suffered with the virus at home.

Members of the Armed Forces constructed eight NHS Nightingale hospitals - including one right here in Yorkshire - within weeks, which are all now being held on standby.

Yesterday was a chance to say thank you to all those who have cared for our city during this time of national crisis.

Thank you to the carers in Leeds’ hospitals, health centres and GP surgeries.

Thank you to the carers who work in our nursing homes and the carers out and about in the community.

Thank you to the unpaid carers who have transformed themselves into human shields for their loved ones, in an attempt to stave off the threat of coronavirus.

And thank you to the people protecting or helping some of the more vulnerable residents across our city.

The Yorkshire Evening Post will take a moment on Saturday to reflect on all the hard work and efforts across the city as part of our Big Thank You.

Leeds has proven itself to be an absolute force of strength with more than 8,000 volunteers mobilising to support over 12,500 people who have needed them the most in the darkest of times.

And the sentiment was echoed by NHS chief executive, Sir Simon Stevens, who said hospital workers have only been able to pull the country through the pandemic thanks to a “national mobilisation” of key workers, from care assistants and supermarket shelf-stackers to transport workers.

So while the anniversary of the NHS is a fantastic opportunity to say thank you it also provides a spotlight to look at what we need to do as a society to continue to protect such a treasured institution.

Sir Simon said he also wanted to see plans put in place to adequately fund the adult social care sector within a year. He said the pandemic had shone a “very harsh spotlight” on the “resilience” of the social care system.

“If any good is to come from this,” Sir Simon said, “in my opinion, we must use this to resolve once and for all to actually properly resource and reform the way in which social care works in this country”.

And he is absolutely right.

What is evident is a clear groundswell of support for all those who have played such a crucial role on the frontline.

We need to now build on this going forward to ensure actions speak louder than words.

After all, there remains the fear that the NHS could have a huge job on its hands if a second virus spike sweeps at the same time as seasonal flu.

So while our businesses reopen their doors, we need to all continue to play our part.