ITV dedicated its whole day to NHS heroes in NHS Day, which celebrated the incredible work of the NHS and highlighted our appeal.

ITV’s NHS Day took over the regular schedule on Thursday 16 April, from the morning’s daytime content right the way through to News at Ten. And at the heart of the day was The Million Claps appeal, in partnership with our charity. It encouraged people to support the campaign by highlighting the heartfelt messages sent in by the public and showing how much these thank yous mean to NHS carers

Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said ahead of NHS Day on ITV:

“The whole country is grateful to our NHS heroes on the front line of the battle against this virus. I’m absolutely delighted that ITV are dedicating a day to celebrating the hard work and dedication of them all. I want to thank not only those in NHS itself, but also all the families and friends that stand behind them.”

NHS Charities Together Chief Executive Ellie Orton said:

“With this amazing support from ITV today in celebrating and thanking the NHS and in supporting our #OneMillionClaps text-to-donate campaign, we are not stopping there. Given the incredible and traumatising impact of Covid-19, we are also focusing on longer term mental health support and in addition, through social partnerships, help patients home from hospital quickly and safely and where we are able, prevent admissions to hospital with greater support at home.”

In an unprecedented TV moment, directly after the weekly Clap for Carers moment, ITV broadcast a touching two-minute tribute direct from the doctors, nurses and care staff working on the frontline giving thanks to the nation for staying indoors and for all their support and love during these unprecedented times.