Clap for carers to return for one week only - here's when and why

Clap for carers will return next Sunday to mark the 72nd birthday of the NHS.

People are being asked to come out and clap at 5pm on Sunday 5 July to say thank-you to all the NHS staff who have worked during the coronavirus crisis.

It comes after 10 weeks of Britons taking to their doorsteps, balconies and front gardens every Thursday evening to clap for carers.

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The last clap took place on 28 May, after the woman who came up with the idea claimed the show of gratitude had "had its moment" and risked being politicised.

But next Sunday, it will come back as a one-off, with NHS bosses hoping to make it an annual event for the anniversary.

Public buildings will be lit up in blue, including the Royal Albert Hall, Blackpool Tower, the Shard and the Wembley Arch, the health service said.

People are also being encouraged to put a light in their windows the night before to remember all those who have died from COVID-19.

That day pubs, restaurants and hairdressers will be allowed to reopen for the first time since the UK went into lockdown in late March.

NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens says he hopes the public will use the anniversary as an opportunity to "say a heartfelt thank-you" to hospital staff.

Sir Simon said: "This year has been the most challenging in NHS history, with staff displaying extraordinary dedication, skill and compassion to care for the 100,000 patients with COVID-19 who needed specialist hospital treatment and many others besides.

"During this testing time our nurses, doctors, physios, pharmacists and countless more colleagues were sustained by the support of the public, not least through the weekly applause for key workers."

The call for another clap follows a letter from the Together coalition, in which figures including Sir Simon and the Archbishop of Canterbury voiced their support for making 5 July an official day of commemoration.