Publish date: 4 July 2023
The Trust will be marking 75 years of the NHS on Wednesday, 5 July, with a host of events taking place all week to encourage colleagues, patients and people across the area to get involved.
The NHS was founded on 5 July 1948 as the world’s first universal, free at the point of use health system. Today, it treats 1.3 million people a day in England.
In the build-up to the birthday, colleagues and patients have been sharing memories and stories of what the NHS means to them over the past 75 days.
Then among its fundraising activity, hospital charity Blue Skies is holding a 7.5mile ‘Walk for Wards’ from Clifton Hospital to Blackpool Victoria Hospital on Wednesday evening.
The main entrance at Blackpool Victoria Hospital will be lit up blue for the evening, and among the themed decorations in the main entrance are a special exhibit of items from over the years.
There’s plenty for people to get involved with elsewhere too, from joining a local Parkrun or taking part in a NHS Big Tea event.
Trish Armstrong-Child, Chief Executive at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, said: “I couldn’t be more proud or privileged to be celebrating this incredible milestone with our colleagues, patients and their families.
“I’ve enjoyed so much hearing about the way the Trust has changed as the NHS itself has changed, but also looking ahead to new ways of working and supporting our community.
“I want to thank everyone at the Trust in all our services and settings for their tireless hard work and dedication, but also our community, patients and partners for getting involved in the activities we have planned. It means so much to us to see the support.”
