A minute's silence will be held today in tribute to all NHS and care staff who have died from coronavirus.

Chief Nursing Officer Ruth May and National Medical Director Professor Stephen Powis will lead NHS England staff in marking the minute’s silence on Tuesday.

At 11am all of NHS England’s national and regional teams will be asked to pay their respects to the friends and colleagues they have lost over the last two months due to the virus. 

They will join partners from the Royal College of Nursing, Royal College of Midwives and UNISON in honouring all workers who have died after testing positive for Covid-19.

Chief Nursing Officer Ruth May said: “Every death is a tragedy but we feel the loss of fellow health and care workers particularly keenly.

“I want people across the NHS and the whole country to come together and remember health and care workers who have lost their lives to this cruel virus.”

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Professor Stephen Powis said: “This is an opportunity for us all to pay tribute to doctors, nurses, cleaners and many other NHS staff who have died in this pandemic.

“I hope the whole nation will fall silent in tribute and show how much their contribution is remembered and appreciated.”

So far 82 NHS staff are known to have died after testing positive for coronavirus.

NHS Chief People Officer Prerana Issar said that NHS England is considering how to formally commemorate all those who have died while working to care for others once the health service is through the peak of the virus.  

Health leaders are considering a range of ways to celebrate their lives, their dedication and their compassion and will work with families, loved ones and staff groups to find the most respectful and appropriate way to do so.

The NHS is also raising awareness of the wellbeing support that is available to NHS and social care staff – the #OurNHSPeople Wellbeing Support - at people.nhs.uk.