Charity wants special annual week to pay tribute to hero A&E hospital staff

A charity is calling for an official national A&E Appreciation Week to honour brave frontline emergency staff. This week there will be over 100 events taking place to support nurses, doctors, admin workers and porters in towns and cities right across the United Kingdom.

But the Rapid Relief Team charity want a formal designation of an annual Accident and Emergency Appreciation Week, to ensure that frontline emergency staff always receive the national recognition and gratitude they deserve.

Ross Norman, Head of Operations at RRT, said: “Every day A&E teams work under extraordinary pressure in fast-paced, challenging environments, to keep our communities safe.

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“Yet their critical work too often goes unseen and without the recognition it deserves. Worryingly, data shows that violence against frontline workers is increasing, adding to the already immense strain they face.

“Through A&E Appreciation Week, we want to shine a light on their vital contribution, give them a moment of respite, and a chance to feel valued for the lifesaving work.

“We are calling for A&E Appreciation Week to be officially recognised, in order to raise awareness of the challenges these teams face, boost morale at a time of rising pressures on our NHS, and establish a lasting tradition of showing gratitude year after year.”

The charity, which is dedicated to providing practical support to emergency services, will launch the first A&E Appreciation Week from 13 th - 17 th October 2025, aiming to host 100 coordinated welfare events in hospitals across the country to give back to A&E teams.

At the events, RRT volunteers will be serving over 8,000 coffees and cakes in order to provide a much-needed morale boost to A&E staff.

With violence against emergency department staff almost doubling since 2019, the events give them a chance to take a moment away from their duties to connect with colleagues and feel supported.

The charity has been working closely together with local NHS matrons to organise the events to ensure they fit seamlessly within the busy day of A&E staff, while still giving teams the opportunity to pause and feel appreciated.