UK Queen honours health service for its courage

The UK Queen gave a special award to Britain's National Health Service. She gave it a George Cross for the heroic efforts made by doctors and nurses during the coronavirus pandemic. The Queen gave the award "with great pleasure, on behalf of a grateful nation". She said nurses supported people "with courage".

Many health workers are happy with the award. However, many others want a pay rise. The government gave them a 1% pay increase last year. A doctor said: "We demand…fair pay." A workers' union leader said the best way to thank health workers was to give them a pay rise.