The National Health Service is 70 years old today! On Thursday, 5 July 1948 the NHS was launched by Health Minister Aneurin (Nye) Bevan (below, centre).
A lot has changed since 1948, form the first mass vaccination programmes of the 1950s and the birth of district hospitals in the 1960s, to today’s sophisticated technology, increased care in the community and the development of organisation boundaries. However, what hasn’t changed over the past 70 years is the principle of delivering the very best physical and mental health care, free at the point of use, which meets everyone’s needs. This is why our NHS is so beloved by so many.
Delivering good care is all about taking pride in what we do in the NHS, and nothing should make us feel prouder about the NHS than celebrating its 70th birthday. Find out how we are celebrating on Twitter: @bromleyhcare #NHS70
We’d like to say a huge thank you to all NHS staff, past and present for the wonderful work they do.