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A British Institution, often maligned and taken for granted, this week this pillar of our society turned 70. I thought I'd look how this amazing organisation has touched my life.
On 5 July 1948, the National Health Service (NHS) was launched by the then Health Secretary, Aneurin Bevan, at Park Hospital in Manchester (known today as Trafford General Hospital). For the first time, hospitals, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, opticians and dentists were brought together under one umbrella to provide services for free at the point of delivery. Over the last 70 years, the NHS has transformed the health and wellbeing of the nation and become the envy of the world.
- Source: NHS Website.
There isn't a person in this country that hasn't been touched by the NHS. I was born in an NHS hospital, I've been rushed to hospital in an NHS ambulance (for an emergency appendectomy), they delivered my children into this world, they patched me up and plated me together after a couple of nasty cycling accidents and they cared for countless relatives who sadly reached the end of their lives.
They touched my life the most when they saved the life of my Morticia who needed open heart surgery over 10 years ago. Her subsequent illness has needed lots of care and consultations - all free.
I'd like to say thank you to everyone who works and has worked within this magnificent organisation. You are all heroes.
*The cartoon is my take on a classic British seaside saucy postcard, another institution I'm a massive fan of.
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