Queen’s Medical Centre A&E staff celebrated as part of first A&E Appreciation Week
Emergency department staff at Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham have been recognised as part of the UK’s first-ever A&E Appreciation Week, launched by the charity Rapid Relief Team (RRT) to thank frontline emergency staff for their dedication and service
RRT volunteers visited Queen's Medical Centre earlier this month to host a welfare event providing coffee and cakes to boost morale and show appreciation for the hard work of A&E staff.
Over the course of the week, RRT hosted 115 coordinated events in hospitals across the country, serving more than 9,000 coffees and cakes to emergency teams. In the East Midlands, the RRT also organised events at Bassetlaw Hospital, Boston Hospital, and Chesterfield Royal Hospital.
At Queen's Medical Centre, volunteers from the charity served 140 refreshments, giving teams the opportunity to pause, connect with colleagues, and feel appreciated for their vital work on the frontline.
The RRT is calling for the formal designation of an annual A&E Appreciation Week, to ensure that frontline emergency staff receive the national recognition and gratitude they deserve every year.
The charity has been working closely with the local NHS team and hospital leaders to organise the event, ensuring it fit seamlessly within the busy day of the A&E department, while still giving staff the chance to take a moment away from their duties to recharge.
The Rapid Relief Team (RRT), made up of volunteers from the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, is dedicated to putting compassion into action. With over a decade of experience supporting the UK’s healthcare system, RRT regularly organises welfare events for hospital staff and marks key occasions such as International Nurses Day.
Scott Humphris, RRT Local Team Leader, said: “It’s been a real privilege for our volunteers to visit Queen's Medical Centre to thank the incredible A&E staff for everything they do.
“Every day they show courage, kindness, and commitment – and we wanted to do our bit to give something back to remind both students and long-serving staff how appreciated they are, and their work doesn’t go unnoticed.
“This is why we are calling for the formal recognition of A&E Appreciation Week, so that every year we can come together as a nation to celebrate and support the dedicated people who keep our emergency departments running.”