Knowsley and St Helens Labour Groups have announced their intention to nominate their local hospitals for a prestigious Freedom of the Borough accolade, in recognition of the exemplary service provided during the COVID-19 pandemic

Cllr David Baines (Leader of St.Helens Borough Council) and Cllr Graham Morgan (Leader of Knowsley Council) are leading the charge to formally recognise the positive impact that St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust – who run Whiston, St Helens and Newton hospitals – has had on the lives of so many local people over the last 12 months. The proposal also aims to acknowledge the incredible efforts and sacrifice of the workforce across both hospitals.

In a joint statement the 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 & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to become Honorary Freeman of the Boroughs of St.Helens and Knowsley.

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.”

With the full support of both local Labour Groups, Cllr Baines and Cllr Morgan will now formally lodge the nominations with both Councils (St.Helens & Knowsley) for consideration.