NHS 75: Could there be a more powerful statement that everyone is worthy of proper care?
The NHS turns 75 today
The National Health Service (NHS) in Britain turns 75 today and the Dean of Salisbury Cathedral says it’s something to be proud of and grateful for.
Speaking ahead of a special service at the Cathedral to mark the NHS’s birthday, Nick Papadopulos told us the NHS embodies how we care for each other.
“Could there be a more powerful statement that every on of us, whoever we are, is worthy of being properly looked after, from the cradle to the grave?”
The Dean told us that he has a lot to be thankful to the NHS for, calling it a “privilege” to be celebrating with them.
Special Cathedral Service
The service, which featured a reading from a trio of NHS workers and a specially composed poem from Wiltshire poet Saili Katebe, came with the blessing from the Bishop of Ramsbury rededicating us to the care and service of each other and our community.
One of the NHS staff members to be part of the reading was Thara Thomas, who works as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Rheumatology department.
She spoke to us and said her job makes her feel part of the community, calling it a “great feeling.”
NHS must reflect the communities it serves
We also spoke to Saili Katabe, who composed a poem for the celebration at the Cathedral.
His piece, called “All The Faces” which celebrates how the faces at Salisbury Hospital have changed along with community development and increased diversity.
“At the heart of it is taking care of the nation,” he told us. “We’ve seen how much we needed them during the huge blip in 2020.”
Saili has a personal connection to the NHS, as his mother was a nurse with the service, meaning he has seen first-hand how people can offer value and serve their communities.
Saili concluded by saying: “It’s important that the service reflects the communities that it’s serving.”