Throughout the campaign against coronavirus the slogan, the battle cry, has been Save the NHS, and the public has rallied to the call in many ways, from symbolic clapping to fund raising.
The most encouraging news of progress comes from the heart of the service, our hospitals.
Just a few months ago they were almost overwhelmed. At the peak, they had over 40,000 coronavirus patients, many of them in intensive care.
Today that figure is down to 15,000.
Emergency ‘Nightingale’ hospitals were created around the country to avert disaster.
All magnificent, but, in the end, it was the NHS that saved itself, thanks to the bravery of the 'front line' of doctors and nurses, and a whole army of support staff, ambulance crews, porters and hospital staff administrators.
They worked on despite the danger to them and their families. Thousands were infected, many died.
We owe them a huge debt.
The country must see that the NHS is strengthened and with £400 billion already spent on the pandemic, we will have to find billions more, but it is vital to do so.
We have no idea what lies ahead and there is no higher priority for our future wellbeing than an efficient health service, adequately staffed and fairly paid.
Equally essential is the need for a comprehensive overhaul of social services, especially for the elderly.
National and local government must work closer together to make the most of resources and finance.
It will take time but this and future governments must make it happen.
The NHS deserves it, as do the public who have come through a difficult year, accepting all the restrictions and supporting the government in its unenviable task.
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