With a true milestone anniversary fast approaching, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is asking for your help to celebrate 70 years of the NHS!
Our National Health Service turns 70 on July 5 this year, offering the perfect opportunity to celebrate the achievements of one of the nation’s most-loved institutions, to appreciate the vital role the service plays in our lives, and to recognise and thank the extraordinary NHS staff who are always there for us.
As part of local celebrations, the Trust is hoping to find people who were born in Bradford on July 5, 1948 or cared for by the NHS during the same year so they can be invited to a special event. The Trust is also keen to collect copies of old photographs for social media and a display at Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke’s Hospital.
Professor Clive Kay, Chief Executive, said: “This year is a wonderful opportunity for people to celebrate both the NHS and this organisation that we’re so proud of.
“Taking the time to appreciate all that our staff do and have done throughout the years to care for patients and ensure the smooth running of our hospitals and services is hugely significant.
“We want local people with special connections to join us for a tea party on the day. Were you cared for by the NHS on July 5, 1948 or at any time during that historic first year? Were you born locally on July 5, 1948 and will you also be celebrating your 70th birthday on July 5?
Special day
“If so, we want to hear from you and would love you to join us to make this special day even more memorable.
“It would also be brilliant if current and former staff could have a rummage in their lofts for photographs of themselves and colleagues from days gone by so we can share them and show how much the NHS has changed, especially uniforms!”
A lot has changed since 1948, from 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 coordinated care across organisational boundaries.
However, the principle of delivering the very best physical and mental healthcare, free at the point of use, remains key and is why our NHS is so beloved by so many.
The anniversary also provides the NHS with the opportunity to remind you of all the ways in which you can support your local healthcare services – from joining us as a member of staff or volunteering for our Trust, to becoming a Foundation Trust member or fundraising for Bradford Hospitals’ Charity.
Anyone who can help with tracking down people born on the birthday date or share a photo or story is invited to contact the communications team at Bradford Hospitals at communications@bthft.nhs.uk or 01274 383901.