On the National Day of Reflection marking the second anniversary of the first lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic, staff from St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust attended a formal Knowsley council ceremony to accept the Freedom of the Borough award on behalf of everyone who works at the Trust. 

During the special meeting at Huyton Municipal Building, Ann Marr OBE, Chief Executive, signed the roll of honour and was presented with a ceremonial scroll and medal on behalf of the staff. On accepting the award, she said, ‘Thank you all so very much for awarding our hospitals this very special accolade, which we are truly grateful to accept. It is particularly special to me, as I was born and brought up in Knowsley. To serve the NHS and our local community is a great privilege, and I have always admired and respected the amazing skills and talents of my colleagues as they save lives, take away pain, and provide comfort in the darkest moments.’

‘And then COVID-19 came, and staff were also faced with putting themselves and their families at risk, in order to care for our patients. I witnessed acts of selflessness, courage, and compassion on a daily basis, as our staff bravely battled the pandemic. It is on behalf of every member of our STHK family, who are all heroes, that we gratefully accept this very special honour.’