Bridgwater Branch of the Labour Party presented a giant birthday card on Thursday to Matron, Norma Coombes, and staff at Bridgwater Hospital, in celebration of the 70 years since the birth of the National Health Service. The birthday card had been signed by numerous members of the public at a “birthday party” held in Bridgwater town centre on 7th July.
Inside the card were many personal messages of thanks to NHS staff working tirelessly for the benefit of the community – including “Thank you for saving my life” written near to another: “Thank you for saving my wife”.
Founded by Labour in 1948
The National Health Service was founded in July 1948 by the then Labour Government under Prime Minister Clement Attlee and Health Minister, Aneurin (Nye) Bevan, on the new principle of free healthcare for all. 70 years later the British NHS is still the envy of the world, despite its current severe pressures. The Labour Party has been campaigning for the restoration of proper funding for the NHS and the Bridgwater Branch recently invited a London GP and writer, Dr Youssef El-Gingihy, to lead a discussion about the risks of increased privatisation to the founding principles of the NHS.
The photos show Bridgwater Branch Chair, Glen Burrows with the NHS birthday card and the card being received by Matron, Norma Coombes, and staff at Bridgwater Hospital.
I did my nurse training in the NHS 40 yrs ago and worked in the NHS for a number of years. I have the greatest respect for the man who founded the NHS, Nye Bevan he and so many NHS workers have all devoted their time and energies to provide care and support to people who use the NHS, without it where would we be?
Thank you everyone who work in the NHS for the times myself and my family have had to use it.