Clap for our Carers: Police clap for NHS staff outside hospital in 'emotional' tribute
NHS staff feared a major incident was taking place outside Barnet Hospital when several police cars and vans pulled up outside.
Friday 3 April 2020 11:10, UK
Police officers flashed their sirens and stood outside a London hospital to take part in an "emotional" Clap for our Carers tribute.
NHS staff feared a major incident was taking place outside Barnet Hospital in north London when several police cars and vans pulled up outside.
But as 8pm on Thursday night struck, the officers stood and clapped outside the hospital to join in with the rest of the nation in celebrating healthcare workers battling the coronavirus pandemic on the frontline.
A doctor who filmed the moment said it "really lifted morale" ahead of a long night shift.
She told Sky News: "I arrived at work for the night shift and panicked seeing blue lights flashing everywhere thinking we had a massive influx of cases or something had gone wrong.
"But then as I got nearer the clapping started at 8pm and my fear turned to joy."
She said it was a "really emotional moment" to see "frontline key workers supporting other frontline key workers."
"The clapping and the blue lights made it feel so surreal - like a weird rave!
"The police are also taking risks too so it's really sweet they turned up for us - it just shows how united we all are in the fight."
She added: "We are all absolutely exhausted and every shift we walk in wondering what will happen so this really lifted morale ahead of a 12-hour stint."
Up and down the country, Britons stood on their doorsteps and hung out of windows to clap, cheer and bang pots to show their gratitude to key workers.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson emerged from self-isolation to join in after testing positive for COVID-19 last week.
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He told those gathered outside: "I am not allowed out really, I am just standing here."
A host of celebrities including Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Daniel Craig and Elton John also joined the show of support that swept the country for the second Thursday in a row.
Buildings across the country also got in on the action, with the tip of the Shard in London illuminated blue.
Windsor Castle, the Queen's second residence, was also lit blue in a sign of support.
The first Clap for our Carers took place on 26 March and is expected to continue on a weekly basis.