Founded in 1948, the National Health Service has provided universal access to healthcare, free at the point of use, for the last 75 years.
Whilst politicians may have disagreements over the issues like funding, governance and structures, there is near unanimity that the NHS continues to be an institution to be proud of; made successful by the thousands of doctors, nurses, surgeons, midwives and other medical staff, many of whom often go above and beyond what is expected.
Over a million people are treated daily on the NHS, and a key part of the service’s success is its ability to evolve and meet the needs of each generation. From delivering its first kidney transplant on 1960, to the rollout of the Meningitis C Vaccines since 1999, to the introduction of robotics systems and genome sequencing for treating cancers and serious illnesses in the last few years.
I know all of us will have our own stories of how the NHS have helped us or a loved one, whether that be for cancer treatment, a joint replacement, the birth of a child, or so much more. I will always be grateful for the excellent care that my mother received just before she passed away in 2020. At a time when the Covid 19 restrictions meant that visiting loved ones in hospital was difficult, it meant a lot to know that there were those who cared to look after her in her final days.
Whilst we all know the NHS has its imperfections, the pandemic really showed it at its finest, not just in treating the patients suffering from the virus but also the speedy rollout of the vaccine, which allowed us to lift restrictions and return to normality.
I’m sure you will join me in wishing our NHS a very Happy 75th Anniversary, thanking the dedicated staff that make up the service, and let’s recommit ourselves to the principles of the NHS as a universal health system free at the point of use.
This article first appeared in the Halesowen & Dudley News on 6th July 2022.
