The Health Minister is urging members of the public to come out on Sunday afternoon and clap for the NHS to mark its birthday.
The planned tribute at 5pm for the health services 72nd birthday, will be even more important this year given the sacrifices that NHS staff have made during the Coronavirus pandemic.
During the Covid-19 lockdown people have been showing their appreciation for the NHS every Thursday at 8pm.
Health Minister Robin Swann said: “We should always treasure the NHS and our localised version of it – the Health and Social Care (HSC) system. Sunday also provides an opportunity for us all to express our gratitude to staff. Let me again place on record my personal thanks to every one of them for all that they have done and continue to do.
“The founding principles of the NHS are every bit as relevant and important as they were in 1948.
“I have repeatedly made clear that we need to look after our health service better. That includes building up its resilience and capacity through long-term investment and innovation.”
Mr Swann also took the opportunity to remind people that another way that they can pay tribute to the dedicated NHS staff in Northern Ireland is by following the Coronavirus guidance.
He said: “Supporting the health service is about much more than applause. We have to keep doing everything we can to stop the spread of the virus.
“It is essential that the health service is protected from a second wave of infections.
“Please keep washing your hands and practising social distancing. Please keep doing the right thing.”
