Royal Oldham Hospital staff celebrated as part of first A&E Appreciation Week

The Rapid Relief team thanking A&E staff at The Royal Oldham Hospital

Emergency department staff at The Royal Oldham Hospital 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.

As part of the week-long initiative, RRT volunteers visited The Royal Oldham Hospital 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 North West, the RRT also organised events at Macclesfield Hospital, Blackpool Hospital, Arrowe Park Hospital, Leighton Hospital, and Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

At The Royal Oldham Hospital, volunteers from the charity served 60 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.

Amos Wilkinson, RRT Local Team Leader, said: “It’s been a real privilege for our volunteers to visit The Royal Oldham Hospital to thank the incredible A&E staff for everything they do.

"Every day they show courage, kindness, and commitment under immense pressure.

“Through A&E Appreciation Week, we wanted to give something back – even in a small way – to show our gratitude and remind them that their work doesn’t go unnoticed.

“This is why we are calling for the formal recognition of this 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.”

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