The NHS in Derby and Derbyshire celebrates the 75th anniversary of the NHS
Over the past week, the NHS in Derby and Derbyshire celebrated the 75th anniversary of the creation of the NHS.
Staff working in hospitals, community services and commissioning organisations joined with civic leaders in marking the occasion, taking part in various activities throughout the week.
A specially made baton – hand carved locally by ‘The Mixed Craft Workshop’ was passed between front-line workers and office staff from NHS organisations during the anniversary week, starting on Monday 3 July. The Mixed Craft Workshop is a creative organisation for adults living with a disability or long-term health condition, the workshop promotes confidence, art skills, and friendships, by providing the opportunity to take part in meaningful arts and crafts activities.
From Monday 3 July, the baton visited Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Derbyshire Community Health Services, East Midlands Ambulance Service, Chesterfield Royal Hospital, DHU Healthcare and University Hospitals of Derby and Burton.
NHS trusts in Derby and Derbyshire celebrated the NHS 75 Birthday in various ways, from staff events, to art contests, park runs and bake-offs. Derbyshire County Council County Hall lit their building up blue in support of the NHS, and many of our colleagues will be walking, running or cycling 1000 miles from July 5 until the end of this year. Other activities include:
The NHS celebrated its 75th anniversary on Wednesday 5 July. Colleagues across the NHS in Derby and Derbyshire celebrated the anniversary over the past week with various events and activities. Events included:
- Many people shared their personal stories of working or volunteering in the NHS – you can read some of them by visiting your local trust’s social media pages
- A new health and wellbeing hub for staff was opened at Chesterfield Royal Hospital
- Colleagues from trusts and the Integrated Care Board took part in the anniversary service at Westminster Abbey
- BBC Radio Derby did a live broadcast from the Royal Derby Hospital – speaking to staff and patients
- University Hospitals of Derby and Burton opened their ‘Medical Museum’, displaying artifacts from 1800s onwards
- Derbyshire County Council lit up County Hall blue in support of the NHS.
- Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust hosted an ‘NHS Big Tea’ event at the League of Friends summer fayre
- BBC Radio Derby did a live broadcast from the Royal Derby Hospital, speaking to staff and patients
- DHU have launched a ’75 ways DHU supports the NHS.
Since its establishment on July 5, 1948, the NHS has become an integral part of the lives of over one million people in Derby and Derbyshire, with a current workforce of 53,000 people across various healthcare providers.
The NHS’s birthday serves as a reminder to reflect on the achievements, challenges, and future of the healthcare system, and recognise the hard work our staff and patients put in to make the NHS what it is today.
A big thank you to The Mixed Craft Workshop for kindly designing and creating the NHS 75 Baton, and to Chesterfield Royal Hospital for co-ordinating the activities with our partners. Visit The Mixed Craft Workshop website and follow them on Facebook to find out what projects they are working on.
