As the NHS celebrates its 75th anniversary on Wednesday 5 July, it’s difficult to imagine life without a national health service, particularly given the vital role it played in confronting the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
When health secretary, Aneurin Bevan, launched the NHS on 5 July 1948, it was the climax of a hugely ambitious plan to bring good healthcare to all. For the first time, hospitals, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, opticians and dentists were brought together under one umbrella organisation to provide services that are free for all at the point of delivery.
The figures remain impressive. The NHS now employs more than 1.2million people - including almost 124,000 hospital doctors, 300,000 nurses and over 36,000 GPs.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, wanted to observe this landmark birthday in a way that its staff, patients and local communities could get involved in and which celebrates the compassion and kindness so vital in delivering excellent patient care and kindness.
A call went out for blue, knitted or crocheted, hearts and the response from both individuals and knitting groups has been phenomenal – with over 2,000 hearts received. These have been integrated into a giant installation which, from Wednesday 5th July, will be on display in the grounds of County Hall, Durham for all to see.
Commenting, Sue Jacques, chief executive, at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, said, “In addition to celebrating the exceptional work our staff do –whether in caring for our patients directly or through our vital behind the scenes services, this anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the many advances in healthcare seen over the last 75 years which enable us to provide our patients with safe, compassionate, joined-up care. Mass vaccination and screening programmes, joint replacements, MRI and CT scanners, organ transplants and the organ donor register, keyhole surgery and so much more are all now integral to the daily life of the NHS. Average life expectancy in the UK has also increased from 69.2 years in the 1950s to 81.7 years.
“I am incredibly proud of all our staff and am delighted that members of the public have worked with us on this installation, demonstrating that the NHS is at the heart of our local communities.”
Cllr Chris Hood, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for adult and health services, said: “Like everyone else, we cherish our National Health Service and greatly value its contribution to British society over the last 75 years.
“We also value the joint working we do with the NHS and are therefore only too pleased to house what will be a wonderful celebration of the health service, at County Hall.
“We would encourage everyone to come and see what promises to be a fabulous installation once it is in place.”