British public to hold minute's silence in tribute to NHS staff who have died from coronavirus

The tribute will take place at 11am to honour the sacrifices made by frontline staff who have died during the Covid-19 crisis.

It follows a campaign launched last week by Unison, the Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Nursing.

Between them, the organisations represent more than a million NHS and public service workers including porters, refuse collectors and care staff.

The silence, which will coincide with International Workers’ Memorial Day, will honour the memory of all health, care and key workers who have lost their lives since the beginning of the outbreak, the RCN said.

It said organisations including the Westminster Parliamentary authorities have said they will observe the silence.

Dame Donna Kinnair, chief executive and general secretary of the RCN, said: "This moment will bring together a sombre but grateful nation.

"Whether in nursing or driving buses, our heroes kept going to work when many had the luxury of staying at home. Nobody should go out to work and risk their life."

"This must not be the last time that sacrifice is recognised. The country and its leaders owes a tremendous debt to these key workers and the many more who are on shift again today."

More than 90 frontline NHS workers have died from coronavirus since March 25, including four medical staff at Wigan Infirmary.

Last week, medical staff at the Infirmary bowed their heads in silence to mourn the loss of their colleagues, whilst a lone bagpiper played Flower of Scotland.