It is good to see a number of frontline NHS personnel recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours list.
But why not give some thought to honouring the entire NHS workforce and follow the precedent set by the Queen’s father, George VI, when in recognition of the valour and dedication of the population of Malta, who endured relentless bombing and food shortages during the Second World War, he awarded the whole island the George Cross.
Our highest civilian honour, the George Cross recognises “acts of great heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger”. In my book the NHS qualifies on all counts.
Bob Readman
Editor's reply
Dear Bob
That is a marvellous idea that I applaud. During Covid’s early days, I interviewed psychologists about King’s College Hospital staff attending mental health drop-in sessions to help them deal with extreme stress and I welled up a bit hearing about this project. I wrote about how frontline Londoners were daily “surrounded by death, health fears for themselves and their families and lack of PPE”. Let’s celebrate their courage — but also back better pay, honouring the people we rely on in a crisis.
Mark Blunden, Technology Correspondent
London does not want LTNs
Matthew Pencharz [October 8 ] says Low Traffic Neighbourhoods should be welcomed. Clearly and sensibly most Londoners disagree. When was the last time we saw demonstrations against local councillors in several London boroughs simultaneously? The imposition of these LTNs has no democratic mandate and causes severe inconvenience, increased pollution and access problems for the emergency services, putting lives at risk. They must go.
Tim Janman
