Video
NHS doctor thanks public for nationwide salute ‘as we head into the storm’
A sign by Wembley Park Tube Station in London that thanks the hardworking NHS staff who are trying to battle coronavirus. Photograph: John Walton/PA Wire. - Credit: PA
A doctor has said the public's applause for the NHS was a welcome boost 'as we head into the storm'.
Up and down the country, members of the public put their hands together for NHS workers and others who have been battling the coronavirus pandemic.
Tom, 42, a consultant anaesthetist, heard the applause on his way home from work at a London hospital.
'It was really touching to hear the applause,' he told the PA news agency.
'We're all so worried about whether we're going to be able to be there for all the patients who are going to need us over the coming weeks and months, and knowing that the public have got our backs was much needed.
You may also want to watch:
'Hearing the clapping told us that people out there know how hard everyone has been working to get ahead of the coming surge as much as we can, and that has given us a boost - a reminder that there's a world outside the frantic bubble of Covid-related work we've all been living in for weeks now.'
Political figures such as Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn joined in the applause, which was carried out at 8pm on Thursday night.
Most Read
- 1 The greatest failure of government in our lifetime
- 2 Leave EU website suspended after EU registry blocks move to Ireland
- 3 The bigot we should have called out on day one
- 4 Boris Johnson claims Labour supporters using Universal Credit vote to incite hatred
- 5 Comedian wins praise after shaming No 10 during Dancing on Ice appearance
- 6 The polling that signals the plight of the Union
- 7 Television drama to focus on Boris Johnson's first year in Downing Street
- 8 Dominic Raab 'not convinced' collapse of fishing businesses would be result of Brexit deal
- 9 Brexiteer says he'd never have voted for Brexit 'if we knew we'd lose our jobs'
- 10 Matt Hancock praises free school meals before being reminded he voted against them
More than 670,000 people have signed up for the NHS volunteer programme in 48 hours, prompting the government to increase the target to 750,000.
People are being sought to help deliver shopping and medication to those in need, transport patients and NHS equipment, or check in and chat on the phone with individuals at risk of loneliness as a result of self-isolation.
And Tom said that the effort made within the NHS to prepare for the task ahead has been 'heartening to see.'
He said: 'We've all been daunted by what we've seen happening in Italy, and in China before that, and knowing that it is heading this way.
'In a few weeks, we've completely changed some things in the NHS which previously would have taken months or years to get sorted out, and the sense of can-do and expediency from all the staff has been heartening to see.
'It's really felt like a huge collective endeavour - all hands on deck as we head into the storm.'
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.