Award of George Cross for the NHS

That this House welcomes the wonderful decision of Her Majesty the Queen to grant the NHS the highest gallantry award for civilians in the form of the George Cross which is an acknowledgement for acts of the greatest heroism or for most conspicuous courage in circumstance of extreme danger; notes the only two other collective designations have been to the Island of Malta in 1942 and to the men and women who served in the Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1999; joins with her Majesty in thanking the NHS on their 73rd anniversary for supporting the people of the UK with courage, compassion and dedication, demonstrating the highest standards of public service; and offers sincere and heartfelt thanks to every member of that incredible world-class NHS team both past and present.