"Absolutely amazing" - East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire celebrates 75 years of the NHS

As the National Health Service turns three-quarters of a century old, we take a look at the people who make it great, and those it has helped.

East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire celebrates 75 years of the NHS
Author: Laurence GriffinPublished 5th Jul 2023
Last updated 5th Jul 2023

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.

Founded in 1948 as the first universal health system free to all, the NHS treats over a million people every day in England.

One of those people it has helped is 52-year-old mum Janine Watson, who survived a heart attack in August 2020.

It was absolutely amazing

She said: "I remember getting to the doors and there was a team of nurses and doctors waiting for me and I went straight to theatre.

"Maybe an hour later I was sat up in hospital bed thinking 'oh my god I've just had surgery' - it was absolutely amazing."

Janine said that she would not be here without the paramedics who turned up within minutes of the 999 call or the staff at Castle Hill Hospital in Hull.

The anniversary is also a chance to recognise the people in the NHS that give so many people life-changing care.

Hull-based eye surgeon Colin Vize has worked in the NHS for 30 years, and estimates that he has performed over 6,000 eye surgeries.

Hopefully people are seeing a bit better as a result of my interventions

He said: "Without eye surgeons in the NHS things would be very different - I think a lot of people would be walking around bumping into things!

"There's a fair few people out there who are hopefully seeing a bit better as a result of my interventions."

Sarah Guest has spent 28 years working in the NHS, and is now deputy-lead cancer nurse at Castle Hill Hospital.

There was never, ever any other job that I wanted to do.

She said: "Every day you're humbled, you're privileged and you're honoured, and for us to be able to deliver the best care we can give patients as if they were our own family is a reward in itself.

"Since I was born I wanted to be a nurse - there was never, ever any other job that I wanted to do."

One of her proudest achievements is setting up a quire to bring cancer patients together.

She said: "I think people think a cancer centre is going to be sad and morbid and it's not at all."

"It's a happy place, people enjoy coming here as best they can. It's a place of hope and singing and laughter."

The Deep at Hull will light up blue tonight to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the NHS.

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