Celebrating the NHS at 75

5 July 2023 marks 75 years of the NHS

In 1948, when it was founded, the NHS was the first universal health system to be available to all, free at the point of delivery. It is important to note, that 75 years later, there are still many people around the world who are not able to access free healthcare.

A lot has changed and progressed over the years, and now the NHS treats a million people a day, and 1,600 babies born every day.

The NHS is a place of firsts: Britain’s first heart transplant in 1958, Europe’s first liver transplant in 1968, the world’s first CT scan on a patient in 1971, the world’s first test-tube baby born in 1978. Vaccination programmes also are an important part of the NHS, those which began years ago to protect against whooping cough, measles and tuberculosis and the more recent protecting against meningitis C and Covid.

Since December 2020, the NHS has delivered 128 million vaccines as part of the NHS Vaccination Programme. According to the NHS, as of August 2021, 105,900 deaths and 24,088,000 infections have been prevented because of the NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme.

We cannot forget or underestimate what the NHS went through during the pandemic, with little to no recognition or renumeration, and the effect that this has had on staff. This should never be forgotten.

Now the NHS is a world leader in adopting innovative medicines and pioneering new E

F technologies. Robotic surgery is no longer unusual, patients are routinely treated in virtual wards, we have recently seen the first new treatment for sickle cell disease in over two decades, and the 100th cancer drug was fast tracked to patients through the NHS Cancer Drugs Fund.

All of this is possible thanks to the skills, expertise and hard work of NHS staff. In August 2022, across Hospital and Community Healthcare Services, the NHS employed (fulltime equivalent): 130,398 doctors; 319,616 nurses and health visitors; 21,231 midwives; 157,098 scientific, therapeutic and technical staff; and 17,870 ambulance staff. But it’s not just the medical staff that are important. The NHS cleans an area the size of Gibraltar every day and provides up to 227 meals every minute for staff, patients, and visitors: 326,880 meals a day, the same as providing a meal to everyone in Shropshire.

Those who have worked in the NHS know that it is not easy, the hours are long, the pay is low, and the days can be difficult and upsetting. At the same time, you can see the enormous amount of good it does. The NHS delivers and saves lives and helps millions of people every day.

We have all been in contact with the NHS in some way, whether through receiving care or treatment or supporting loved ones through their own treatment. Every single one of us has benefitted from the NHS and we cannot take it for granted.

There has been a lot of negativity towards the NHS and particularly the staff recently, whilst many are striking for better pay and conditions. The NHS needs the support of the public and the government to be able to continue what it is doing – that is delivering, improving and saving lives and doing so without cost to those who need the care.

On the 75th anniversary, we are celebrating and are grateful for the NHS and its staff doing what they are doing day in and day out, to the benefit of all of us. So, on the NHS’s 75th birthday, we say “congratulations”, “happy birthday” and “thank you”.

Health Business is taking part in activities and celebrations throughout the year, including this special issue of the magazine. Staff are also taking part in NHS 1000 miles and giving blood. The office will also be host to an NHS Big Tea event with all proceeds going towards NHS Charities Together. L

Find out more about the NHS’s 75th anniversary here.

For over ten years, Radar Healthcare has been working with health and social care providers to help improve the quality and care of patients and residents with its all-in-one risk, quality and compliance solution. This summer we come together to celebrate one of our very treasured services, the National Health Service (NHS) who celebrate their 75 year anniversary.

In honour of this, we’ve launched #MyNHSStory. Over the next few months, we’ll be giving you the chance to share your stories and memories, as well as a host of other ways to celebrate 75 years of the NHS. Have a look at what we’ll be up to and how you can get involved at www.radarhealthcare.com/nhs-75-anniversary