Two Merseyside hospitals are set to receive the freedom of their boroughs in recognition of their efforts during the pandemic.
St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Whiston and St Helens Hospitals, has been nominated for the prestigious awards by the leaders of Knowsley and St Helens councils.
Cllrs Graham Morgan and David Baines said the award would recognise the “exemplary service” provided by the hospitals and the “incredible efforts and sacrifice” of their staff over the past year.
In a joint statement, the two leaders said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has been life-changing for us all over the last year. We have seen incredible suffering, sacrifice and challenges and nowhere is that more evident than in our local hospitals.
“Since last March, the teams at St.Helens and Whiston hospitals have worked tirelessly to care for people when they needed it the most.
“This doesn’t just include those struck down by Covid-19 - which in itself has been an achievement. It also includes support for those with long term illnesses like cancer, those needing treatment, surgery or rehabilitation or mothers giving birth. The list goes on.
“The challenge has been enormous, but the hospitals have not faltered in their service to the community and the staff delivering that important care have dug deep, made their own personal sacrifices and been there when our residents needed them.
“With the unanimous support of our Labour Party colleagues across Knowsley & St Helens, we want to formally recognise this service and nominate the St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to become honorary freeman of the boroughs of St Helens and Knowsley.”
Find the number of people vaccinated near you by entering your postcode below
The freedom of Knowsley has only been awarded on a handful of occasions, with previous recipients including former Huyton MP and prime minister Harold Wilson, Liverpool FC legend Steven Gerrard and the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.
The freedom of St Helens has been awarded on more occasions, including to the town’s rugby league team and former prime minister of New Zealand Richard Seddon, who came from Eccleston.
The honour was most recently awarded in 2012 when there were eight recipients including all members of the armed forces past and present connected with the borough.
The council leaders added: “This is the highest honour we can bestow on any organisation or individual, and we hope this goes some way in showing our collective appreciation.”
The hospitals’ nomination will need to be approved by the two councils, which is expected to take place in the near future.
