A new star object has been revealed at one of Manchester’s most popular museums, celebrating the history of the NHS. It comes ahead of a major exhibition opening later in the year to explore the global response to the 21st century’s biggest medical challenge.
The George Cross Medal that was awarded to the NHS in England by Queen Elizabeth II in 2021 has been unveiled at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester. The star object is available for all visitors to enjoy for free.
It is accompanied by two first-hand accounts from a front-line healthcare worker and volunteer collected through the University of Manchester’s Voices from Our NHS oral history project.
The unveiling comes ahead of a major free exhibition opening on 19 July. Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine will examine the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing the intense and rapid work to develop a vaccine as well as the extraordinary efforts of the NHS in its response.
Both the medal display and exhibition give the Science and Industry Museum opportunities to delve deeper into Greater Manchester’s history of pioneering healthcare and public health in action, as well as explore its important role in many NHS developments.
Steven Leech, Curator of Exhibitions at the Science and Industry Museum, said:
We are delighted to have NHS England’s George Cross Medal on display at the museum. Greater Manchester has a pioneering history of healthcare, from its role as the first industrial city highlighting the need for public health measures, to it being the location of the first NHS hospital and even the birthplace of the world’s first IVF baby, the city region is brimming with medical history and having the medal here gives us a great opportunity to open up these conversations.
“The medal also allows for a brilliant opportunity to reflect on the incredible impact of the NHS, not just locally but across the country and globe. It’s a particularly poignant time to do this, in the wake of the 21st centuries biggest medical challenge, and we’re excited to build on this when we open Injecting Hope later in the year to further reflect on and explore the Manchester and the world’s response.”
The George Cross medal is on display now until January 2025 in the main entrance of the museum. Injecting Hope: The race for the COVID-19 will open in our Special Exhibitions Gallery from 19 July – 17 November 2024, with free tickets available to book from later this year.
