NHS 70 YEARS TODAY

National Health Service 70 Today

Happy Birthday NHS

…and many happy returns. May you live forever.

You are unique, a daily wonder and savour of life.  Still going strong and holding on to key principles fought hard for and launched by the Labour Minister of Health Aneurin Bevan on 5 July 1948. Three core principles born out of long-held believes and ideal that good healthcare should be available to all, regardless of wealth.

  • That it meet the needs of everyone
  • That it be free at the point of delivery
  • That it be based on clinical need, not ability to pay

Three principles that have guided the delivery and development of the NHS over more than half a century and remain to this day – may they remain forever.

 

The journey has been tough, amazing and transforming with constant new developments, demands and innovation, care and growth supported and led by dedicated, talented, incredible staff.

Let us make sure that we as citizens and users value and don’t just take the NHS and its staff for granted, that we support and fight for “our NHS” to stay healthy, strong and develop. Let us rise to the challenge of change for another 70 years and the future, underpinned by strong ethics, a commitment to continued and increased top quality and innovation in patient, staff and leadership care, and  lead in decision-making, in organisation, development and research that will creatively and robustly respond to our 21st century changing demographics, technical advances and development demands.

In this 70th year celebration of its making I wish for a strong national NHS campaign that makes us all acutely aware of its value and insight so we don’t just take NHS and its services for granted, to recall the impact of its three core principles and what it means for our body and mind, and for general and individual health, for equality and our overall wellbeing, We should remember  how it benefits and affects us as individuals and what it means not to have first to think about personal financial arrangements before our medical rescue, our diagnoses, treatment, care and recovery.

As citizens, patients and professionals it is our responsibility to treat and use our NHS with respect, to be responsible in our interaction and resource use, and keep to appointments, to listen, to share information and to follow instructions, whilst, looking after ourselves as best as we can and use these public services constructively and productively.

Like with so much that “is just there” there is a risk we forget its value, collected wisdom, knowledge and wealth before it is too late to repair.  So in celebrating 70 years of NHS let us all become a force for increasing awareness and insight of the magnificent NHS:  our lifeline and blood. We should remind ourselves it belongs to us paid for by our taxes, our public money that belongs to us and should be paid and used properly.

Happy 70 Birthday NHS and A BIG thank you to everyone who has made you happen and keep you alive every day.

National Health Service Happy 70th Birthday

To put NHS’s transformational importance into a historical background, social framework and perspective I have found it useful and inspirational to listen to National Health Stories on Radio4  https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b86qzs and to watch The NHS: To Provide all People https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b7x2nt

Our NHS is 70

About the Author:
Founder and owner of Katrin Andersson Limited

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