"They saved my life, they're heroes" NHS praised as it reaches 75 years old
Our listeners have been giving us their positive experiences to celebrate the NHS's 75th anniversary
The NHS began 75 years ago today on July 5th, 1948. As the institution celebrates its 75th anniversary one NHS chief has paid tribute to the “constant” compassion of the service’s 1.4 million staff.
Our listeners have also been telling us about their positive experiences of the NHS with people saying that without the NHS they wouldn't be here now.
Take a listen to some of the stories we were told:
Celebrations to mark the anniversary are taking place across the health sector, with famous faces also paying tribute to the service.
Sir Andy Murray, Britain’s most successful tennis player, shared his thanks for the “indispensable” NHS and spoke about how it has supported his family.
The Prince and Princess of Wales surprised NHS staff by dropping in for a tea party at a London hospital while Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will be joined by 1,500 health service staff, politicians and other supporters of the NHS at a special service at Westminster Abbey
First NHS baby says people take it for granted
British people can “take the NHS for granted”, the first ever baby born on the NHS has said as she called for children to be taught about the “national treasure” in schools.
At a minute past midnight on July 5, 1948, Aneira “Nye” Thomas became the first baby born on the NHS at Amman Valley Hospital in Wales.
Mrs Thomas, who was named after the service’s founder Aneurin “Nye” Bevan, said she feels it is her duty to inform people about the work of the NHS.
“The NHS touches all our lives and we’re all guilty of taking it for granted, even I do at times,” she told the PA news agency.
“In Wales, we don’t pay for prescriptions and sometimes I’m standing in a chemist and people are complaining about a wait of 10 minutes for prescriptions, and I feel like screaming ‘do you realise how lucky we are to have the health care system that we have’?”
Staff praised but 'enormous challenges' faced
Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of the NHS in England, acknowledged the “enormous challenges” faced by workers, including the record demand for services and the backlog of care.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, national medical director for the health service in England, said that staff were meeting these new challenges “head on.”
Ms Pritchard said: “The history of the NHS is one of change and innovation, so while striving to meet the needs of today’s patients, we are also making decisions to ensure we adapt to meet the needs of the next generation.
“From creating and expanding new services such as our gambling clinics to treating over 100,000 people at home in virtual wards last year, the NHS is always adapting and innovating.
“While many things have changed over the last 75 years, the skill and compassion of NHS staff who care for our patients and their families has always remained constant.
Sir Stephen added: “As it marks its 75th birthday the health service is facing record demand across emergency care, general practice and mental health, but as it has always done the NHS is using the latest technology and advancements in treatments to meet these challenges head on.
“From treating 100,000 people a year on virtual wards so people can receive hospital level care at home to working with researchers on how AI can help shorten diagnostic times for breast cancer screening, with testing due to take place in NHS hospitals next year.
“All of this would not be possible without our incredible 1.4 million staff who have steered the NHS through the pandemic
The history of the NHS
NHS is established
The National Health Service was formally established in 1948 at what is now Trafford General Hospital in Manchester. The service was started by Aneurin Bevan under the government of Clement Atlee. Its aim was to create a system of free healthcare to all. One of the first patients was Sylvia Diggory, aged 13, who was suffering from a liver condition.
Prescription charges introduced
Soon after its inception, charges for prescriptions and dental care were introduced. Each prescription would cost one shilling, while dental care would require a £1 payment. Charges would eventually be dropped and then reinstated in 1968.
NHS discoveries
Throughout the 1950s, thanks to the pioneering technology the NHS was using, a number of medical advancements were made. Polio vaccinations were rolled out in the UK, the structure of DNA was found and the link between smoking and cancer was proven.
Treating new diseases
As time went on and the NHS grew, so did its capacity to look after those who were unable to be treated before. The Mental Health Act in 1983 was the first time the concept of consent was raised in treating those with mental health issues. Nurses also treated people suffering from AIDS in the late 1980s and, together with the government, helped to reduce the stigma of the disease, which primarily affected gay men.
Opening to the public
In order to cope with the increasing demand for the NHS, the structure of the service changed. In 1991, NHS Trusts were established in the first of a wave of reorganisation for the service. People would later be able to donate organs more easily with the introduction of the NHS Organ Donor Register.
Stretched resources
In the 21st century, the NHS came under pressure as a result of stretched resources. With the rising cost of medicines, the government voted to bring in longer working hours and minimal increases in pay for NHS staff in 2015. This resulted in a mass picket of junior doctors around the country for better working conditions. It was the first general strike in the NHS' history and the first instance of industrial action in 40 years. There have been further strikes in 2023
NHS during coronavirus
In 2020, a new disease named COVID-19 began to spread around the world, eventually reaching the UK at the end of January. The resulting pandemic led to NHS workers being on the frontline of the disease. Support for the NHS grew massively and during lockdowns, so-called "Claps for Carers" would take place every Thursday to thank the NHS and its staff for protecting the public during the pandemic.
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