Celebrating NHS 75 Message from Lance

On 5 July, the NHS marked 75 years since it began.

Our amazing people care for patients, or support those who provide care, with extraordinary dedication. The 75th birthday of the NHS was an opportunity to reflect on the achievements over the decades, to say thank you, and to look ahead. There were a range of events and activities for you to enjoy and get involved with, including: y An InTouch briefing, celebrating PAHT through the decades and looking to the future - you can watch the recording here > y A photo display at The Princess Alexandra Hospital, St Margaret's Hospital, Herts and Essex Hospital, Kao Park, on AlexNet and on social media - take a look at our #PAHTpeople and our hospitals across the years y Spotlight pieces on our people - shared across our communications channels. You can read them here > y My digital diaryshowcasing the work of our teams and milestones in the development of equipment and treatment - you can watch the recording here > y A focus on our history at PAHT - you can read more on our website > y Reflecting on Windrushtaking the opportunity to celebrate 75 years of the NHS and the diversity of the NHS workforce

PAHT has changed significantly since its official opening ceremony on 27 April 1965, attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy (pictured below right).

We have seen the implementation of many procedures and treatments that are now a mainstay of the work of a modern acute hospital. This includes probably the noticeable changes to delivery of care such as computerised tomography (CT) scanners, which were first used in the UK in 1972, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners, first used in the UK in 1980.

The Trust was established as The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust in April 1995, providing services at The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, the Herts and Essex Hospital in Bishop’s Stortford, and St Margaret’s Hospital in Epping.

In the years since the hospital first opened, it has undergone

Modernisation

and development, including many additions.

As you will be aware, full funding for a new, state-ofthe-art hospital for Harlow has now been confirmed by the Government as part of a major funding package for NHS hospitals in England.

The new Princess Alexandra Hospital will be a world-class healthcare facility for the local area. It will provide the best place to work for our people and deliver first-rate care for patients - transforming health outcomes and addressing health inequality in the growing and ageing local population.

Thank you for celebrating this special occasion with us.

Best wishes

Lance McCarthy Chief executive