On the 5th of July 2023, the National Health Service (NHS) will celebrate 75 years of healthcare. The NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) is honouring this milestone as it represents an incredible journey of dedication, innovation, and tireless commitment to providing exceptional healthcare services across the nation. 

Since its inception in 1948, the NHS has remained a symbol of hope, compassion, and universal access to healthcare for all citizens. From humble beginnings, it has grown into the world’s largest publicly funded health service, catering to the diverse needs of over 66 million people in England. Within the ICB alone, there is a cumulative total of 4,221 years of service that staff have served for the NHS. 

Peter Axon, Interim Chief Executive Officer for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB stated: “Over the past seven decades, the NHS has continually evolved, embracing advancements in medical science, technology, and patient-centered care. It has consistently adapted to meet the ever-changing needs of society, rising to challenges such as epidemics, pandemics, and ground-breaking medical breakthroughs. 

“Today, the NHS stands as a testament to the dedication and expertise of its skilled workforce, which includes doctors, nurses, paramedics, administrators, and countless other professionals who work tirelessly around the clock to deliver exceptional care. Their unwavering commitment to saving lives, promoting wellness, and enhancing the overall health of the nation has made the NHS an internationally acclaimed healthcare institution.” 

In Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent on the 8th of July, there will be local parkrun events taking place, dedicated to celebrating the NHS birthday, with junior parkrun events on the 9th of July. There will also be big tea events and much more which can be found on the NHS website.  

The 75th anniversary of the NHS provides an opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments and challenges faced over the years. In turn, this brought about the opportunity to celebrate local staff with long service and, on 3 July, the ICB did just that. A total of 39 awards were given out to staff with more than 25 years’ experience – three of which have a huge total of more than 40 years’ service each. To celebrate, the ICB brought together some local staff that have served over 30 years in the NHS and gave them the opportunity to reminisce on their years of long service and the impact it has had on their career.  

Tracey Shewan started as a 17-year-old care home assistant and is now Director of Governance. David Pearson, a trainee nurse who helped army veterans from the Second World War became Chair of the ICB. Karen McGowan, who balanced a busy life of being a young mother, a wife and a day bed nurse who is now the Associate Director of Nursing, Quality & Maternity. Also, Paula Carr and Dr Steve Fawcett who all have had interesting starts into the NHS and have gone on to have successful careers. 

Take a look at their brilliant stories here. 

As the NHS celebrates this historic milestone, it invites everyone to join in recognising and appreciating the immense contributions it has made to the health and well-being of the nation particularly within the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent region.