North Yorkshire landmarks lit up blue to celebrate 75th anniversary of the NHS
It includes York's city walls, Northallerton Town Hall and Scarborough Castle
Landmarks across North Yorkshire are being lit up blue tonight to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the NHS.
It includes Scarborough Castle, York Hospital and Northallerton Town Hall.
Hospitals in North Yorkshire are also flying NHS flags over the course of the week.
Simon Morritt, Chief Executive of York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “The NHS is a point of pride for many people, for those that work for it and for those who have been cared for by it.
“Lighting up our hospital gives us the perfect opportunity to celebrate the achievements of one of the nation’s most loved institutions, to appreciate the vital role the service plays in our lives, and to thank staff and volunteers working within our hospitals and out in the community for their hard work, compassion and dedication to our patients.”
It follows a special service at Westminster Abbey, attended by working NHS staff and members of the Royal Family.
Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, said in her address: "Since the day it was founded, the NHS has continually innovated and adapted to meet the changing needs of our patients and communities.
"Recent years have brought a once-in-a-century global health emergency and unprecedented challenges. But throughout, our staff, volunteers and partners up and down the country have continued to do what they do best - looking after patients and their loved ones.
"In doing so they provided a beacon of hope for a nation during dark and uncertain times. It is therefore little wonder that the NHS remains the institution that makes our nation most proud to be British - a cornerstone of national life and our shared identity."
The service opened with a procession that included the Duke and Duchess - Prince Edward and wife Sophie - and the George Cross, presented to the NHS last year by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Speeches were given by Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, the UK's first sickle cell nurse specialist, and Ellie Orton OBE, chief executive of NHS Charities Together, before the entire abbey stood to sing hymns.