Frontline staff at St George's Hospital were offered free food this week as thanks for all of their hard work.

Funded jointly by the trust and St George's Hospital Charity, frontline staff get a range of options to have for their food, and even have some live music alongside it too.

The 'lunch on us' festival launched on November 14 and will be running until November 18. The event is ticketed and is only for staff working at St George's.

Staff have a variety of sweet and savour options, including wraps, noodles, popcorn and churros.

Jacqueline Totterdell, Group Chief Executive at St George's and Epsom and St Helier, spent time serving food to staff and saying thank you directly for their efforts throughout the pandemic earlier today.

She said: "The last 18 months have been really challenging and it has tested us all, so I am so incredibly thankful to our teams who have continued to provide outstanding care to our patients at the most difficult of times.

"The response of our staff has been – and continues to be – phenomenal which is why we are celebrating them with a three month Thank You George's season to recognise their efforts in a whole number of ways including this week's fab free food festival before we enter the challenging winter months."

Dr Daniel Yiu, Junior Doctor on the Acute Medical Unit, had his free lunch served to him by Jacqueline Totterdell. He said: "It's provided us with a very welcome break and it's nice to feel appreciated after a couple of years of really hard work."

Mark Sheridan, Occupational Therapy Technician, said: "It's a lovely gesture. We've had a really tough period and we need to brace ourselves before a difficult winter too. It's nice for everyone across the Trust to be thought of – events like these make us feel valued."

Rita Curtis, Neuroradiology Nurse, said: "We work so hard, so to have this type of event with free food to say thank you is really well received. It's a great opportunity to get teams together, away from the clinical area, as well."

This event has come as part of the three-month 'Thank You George's' season, which started in October. It includes a range of other events including art, music and reflection to share experiences from responding to the pandemic with one another.

Dr Richard Jennings, Chief Medical Officer at St George's, said: "Events like these are imperative to say thank you to our hard-working teams, but there are things that the public can do to support them too.

"Looking after yourselves this winter by getting your covid-19 and flu vaccines is the best form of protection against both viruses. If you need medical care but it isn't an emergency, please call or access NHS 111 online before attending our emergency department as often there are more appropriate NHS services available to you which can be quicker, such as your GP or local pharmacy.

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