NHS organisations across Bradford District and Craven are celebrating the NHS’ 75th birthday on Wednesday 5 July.
As NHS organisations across the country mark 75 years of the NHS, staff are celebrating with NHS Big Tea parties to help raise money for local NHS charities. The NHS in Bradford District and Craven is also taking this opportunity to thank all NHS staff and volunteers, past and present, who have made the organisation what it is.
Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership is made up of local NHS organisations, local councils, independent care organisations and the voluntary and community sector. It forms part of the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and serves a population of around 650,000.
Since its formation, the Partnership has made substantial achievements across its priority areas including improving access to care, children and families services, creating healthy communities and healthy minds, and workforce development.
- Life-saving lung health checks since 2019 have helped catch cancer earlier and improve patient outcomes. More than 2,800 people have had a CT scan, which has identified over 100 suspected lung cancers. The scans will now become available at all GP practices across Bradford District and Craven.
- Last winter, 3,000 room thermometers were distributed to families on postnatal wards. Recognising the difficulties families are facing to maintain a safe and comfortable temperature in the homes, the aim was to promote the best temperature for safe sleeping babies.
- Across Community Partnerships there are 31 funded projects underway aimed at reducing health inequalities underpinned by the Core20PLUS5 National Framework, these include Community Health Checks, Maternity Circles and Health Coaching.
- Over 23,000 people have used the digital wellbeing assistant on the Healthy Minds website to find out about suitable services, self-help guides and available apps.
Buildings in the district including Bradford City Hall will be lighting up blue on Wednesday 5 July to mark the occasion and people are also invited to wear blue to show their support for the NHS.
As part of NHS birthday celebrations, staff in the region have been describing what the NHS means to them.
Mel Pickup, Place Lead, Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership shared her take on what the NHS means to her in a video on YouTube.
Elaine Appelbee, chair of Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership Board, said:
I am grateful that the NHS has provided my family with employment over the decades and safe care whenever we have needed it.
Mechele, who works for Airedale NHS Foundation Trust said:
As the lead for research and innovation I am extremely proud to be part of the NHS. Our team works tirelessly to help find safer more effective treatments to improve the health of the population. A big thank you to all who take part in NHS research. You make research happen!
Ayesha, specialist dietitian at St Luke’s Hospital in Bradford, said:
The NHS is a wonderful organisation that provides free healthcare in a loving and caring environment. I feel privileged to be part of it.
Amelia, who works for the Pennine Breast Screening Unit at Bradford Teaching Hospitals, said:
The NHS has given me the courage to be myself and to help others in their hardest time. It’s an amazing opportunity to develop yourself and your career and I’m just grateful.
Fozia, who works for Bradford District Care Trust said:
I have been a part of the NHS for 15 years and have worked in many roles from starting as a ward clerk to working with the bed managers and most recently working with carers. I am passionate to help and support carers in the community and within our services.
For more information, visit www.bdcpartnership.co.uk/nhs-75/.