Atherstone asked for one minute of its time to join nation in 'sombre but grateful' tribute to frontline heroes who gave their lives for our salvation

STAFF AT THE GEORGE ELIOT WANT THE WHOLE DISTRICT TO PAY ITS RESPECTS IN HONOUR OF THE FALLEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

STAFF at Atherstone and North Warwickshire's main hospital have asked for town and country to fall silent this morning in honour of at least 100 key workers who have lost their lives in the battle against coronavirus.

The George Eliot Hospital will join the minute of reflection at 11am along with a "sombre but grateful nation," according to Dame Donna Kinnair, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing.

Boris Johnson, who spent four days in intensive care earlier this month, will observe the tribute to the fallen frontline workers who have died in the pandemic, the day after he returned to Number 10 after beating Covid-19.

Some 82 NHS and 16 care workers are among official figures of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice since March 25.

Doctors, nurses, paramedics and healthcare workers are all expected to pay their respects to their colleagues at hospitals and other services around the country while transport workers will also take part.

Bus drivers are also among those who have died while carrying out their vital work during the pandemic and in London passengers will be asked to join in the tribute.

Drivers who can safely do so will be asked to stop their vehicle at the side of the road just before 11am and switch off their engines for one minute.

Dame Donna said: "This moment will bring together a sombre but grateful nation. Whether in nursing or driving buses, our heroes kept going to work when many had the luxury of staying at home. Nobody should go out to work and risk their life.

"This must not be the last time that sacrifice is recognised. The country and its leaders owes a tremendous debt to these key workers and the many more who are on shift again today."

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: "Boris Johnson has seen first-hand how NHS staff are going to remarkable lengths to keep us all safe.

"The least we can all do tomorrow is spare a moment to pay our respects and show our gratitude to all the key workers who have lost their lives."

The Society of Occupational Medicine, whose members include more than 1,700 doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and technicians, has said the goal should be zero work-caused fatalities.

It is calling for the Government to prevent any further work-related deaths and for employers to carry out risk assessments so people can safely return to their jobs whenever the lockdown is eased.

NHS England has said it is considering how to formally commemorate and celebrate the dedication of those who have died while caring for others, and will work with families, loved ones and staff to find "the most respectful and appropriate way to do so".

Last night Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced a life assurance scheme to pay £60,000 to the families of frontline NHS and social care workers who have died in the course of their duties.

He said the loved ones will get a payout to help them deal with any financial problems they might have.

The news came after a cross party group of 50 MPs wrote to Boris Johnson calling for him to set up a coronavirus compensation scheme.

The courage of NHS workers appears to have been reflected in a surge in the number of people signing up to work for the national institution.

A jump in applications on the NHS Jobs website shows that "more want to play their part" as the health service faces its greatest ever challenge, officials said.

There were 407,000 applications submitted last month — an increase of 13,500 on the same month last year.

NHS England said the jump was another demonstration of the public's support for frontline workers as they work to treat patients with Covid-19.

Meanwhile, vital services for cancer treatment and mental health support will resume today with the restoration of "most urgent" NHS facilities reopening.