One of Worcestershire's first NHS babies returns to hospital for anniversary
Derek Bedford was born on the day the NHS was founded in 1948
Last updated 5th Jul 2023
A Worcestershire man born on the same day as the NHS was founded has been helping mark the health service's 75th anniversary.
An event at Evesham Community Hospital this week saw staff celebrate its history - as well as the NHS as a whole.
The celebration was attended by a Derek Bedford from Evesham, who was born on the same date the NHS was founded, 5th July 1948.
He attended with his wife Cathy who worked as a nurse at Evesham Hospital for 45 years, where they cut a cake and were presented with flowers to mark the occasion.
The hospital has a rich history, with the site originally used as a workhouse.
In 1938, it became Avonside Hospital and was later renamed Evesham Community Hospital – meaning that the hospital has been serving the local community for 80 years.
All but two of the original workhouse buildings have been demolished and the hospital has seen many upgrades and additions to allow it to continue to serve the local community - most recently stroke rehabilitation services for the whole County were centralised there.
Dan Marshall, matron at Evesham Hospital, said: “I certainly wouldn’t work for any other organisation. I’ve worked for the NHS for the last 26 years; my family have worked for the NHS since 1948 continuously and it’s a great institution to work for”.
Birthday celebrations continue this week across the trust, with events taking place throughout their community hospitals and inpatient services.
A 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 ÂŁ1 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.