CLAP for carers, monuments lit up in blue, rainbows and “thank you NHS” signs adorning windows and millions of pounds raised for the NHS... these are just some of the ways the nation has proved it truly appreciates our health service.

Some have gone as far as to call the NHS the closest thing we have to a national religion in Britain.

MPs have also suggested the NHS should be awarded the George Cross for heroism.

But when all this is over, how should we reward those who have put their lives on the line?

Salary increases? Honours?

And how do we show our enduring gratitude to the health workers who made the ultimate sacrifice - including beloved GP Dr Habib Zaidi - who died from Covid-19 after spending 45 years as a Leigh GP helping others.

He is just one of 80 health heroes across the UK who have died of the virus so far.

Rochford district councillor Julie Gooding has been supporting the Echo’s Guardian Angels campaign which raised £10,000 for the NHS.

She has also been rallying to supply vital PPE to nurses and doctors on the frontline.

Mrs Gooding doesn’t want endless Government reports on lessons learned.

She said: “Once this pandemic has been brought under control and we are moving forward there are many changes I personally would like to see implemented.

“The medical profession shouldn’t only be rewarded financially but we should show we truly value their professionalism by listening to their advice and what they need to operate effectively within their role.

“There needs to be a whole restructuring within the NHS, with salary packages put in place to attract students and medical staff to this clearly essential profession.

“I believe effective management needs to be run from the bottom up rather than top down.

“Management and accountants aren’t on the front line and what works well on paper doesn’t always translate practically.

“It needs to be a profession where they are rewarded and people want to join up.

“This is how it will attract a broader range of staff with various talents, for example the teaching bursaries are based upon degree achievement but not to exclude students who have other talents (not just those able to sit exams).

“Nursing is a caring profession after all.”

The crisis has seen a new form of “Covid kindness” - people looking out for each other for the first time in a long time - and numerous businesses offering free services to key workers.

Syed Akhtar, owner of the Southend chauffeur firm, Executive Airport Cars, has been giving discounted rides to NHS and emergency workers to help them get to work.

He added how he wants to see staff properly rewarded after all this: “I strongly believe NHS and front line workers deserve a lot more for their hard work and putting their own lives at risk to save millions of others.

“The least they deserve is a pay rise and much better protection equipment to ensure their safety now and for the future.

“We have seen a great community spirit during the lockdown and I hope it will continue afterwards.”