Plans to honour Dudley's healthcare heroes given go-ahead
Plans to honour healthcare heroes in Dudley for their efforts during the coronavirus crisis have been given the go-ahead by council chiefs.
Dudley Council is expected to sign off on a proposal to give all NHS, social workers and health workers the Freedom of the Borough at a meeting in July.
The idea was put forward by the authority's opposition Labour group, which is also developing plans for a monument to give thanks and act as a lasting legacy of the borough's appreciation to healthcare, key workers and volunteers.
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Councillor Keiran Casey, who represents Upper Gornal and Woodsetton, said: "It's great news that our request has been given the go ahead.
"This is the highest honour the council can give and I think it's really important we continue to show our thanks and appreciation to those on the very frontline of this fight, who without a moments hesitation go in to our hospital wards to treat patients and in to our care homes to look after our elderly and vulnerable.
"For me, this is about recognising the hundreds and hundreds of NHS, health and social care workers right across our borough, and showing them that we value the work they have and continue to do during this pandemic."
"It's about us as a borough saying very simply, thank you and ensuring frontline staff have the recognition they deserve now, a nice way of giving some good and positive news during this time and for them to know we're all on their side and will get through this together."
Mr Casey said designs for the monument, which could be located near Russells Hall Hospital, are currently being drawn up.
He added: "We're also really pleased that plans are progressing for a monument to all those key workers and volunteers as a lasting tribute to them and I know we all will want to recognise them and other individuals that have played a vital part in other ways with awards too, which I fully support.
"We're planning on starting some fundraising for the monument, but I'd like to hear what the public think of the proposals, so we'll be releasing a first glimpse of this in the next week or so."
