Published on: 2 July 2018
This is the week of the NHS’s big birthday. On Thursday July 5 2018 it will be exactly 70 years since the National Health Service was founded in 1948.
There is a host of events happening locally as well as national events involving Trust staff.
On Thursday four Trust staff are accompanying Chief Executive Ifti Majid and Trust Chair Caroline Maley to special church services in Westminster Abbey and York Minster.
Closer to home there is a service at St Mary’s Church (the crooked spire) in Chesterfield, also on Thursday, with the Duke of Devonshire, the High Sheriff of Derbyshire, the Lord Lieutenant for Derbyshire, the Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield, other civic dignitaries and colleagues from the NHS across Derbyshire, commemorating this special occasion.
Nationally the NHS is coming into focus this week with a move to light up buildings across the country blue for the NHS on Thursday. Buildings in the area taking part so far include the University of Derby, Nottingham Council House and Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
And NHS staff across the country have joined forces to produce a cover of the Beatles With a Little Help from my Friends. A live performance will be broadcast on ITV on Wednesday 4 July, and the charity single will be released on Friday 6 July, with the hope that it will go to Number 1.
Big 7Tea, Saturday 7 July
The Trust is staging a Big 7Tea to mark NHS70 as part of the League of Friends Summer Fayre on Saturday July 7. The special tea party runs from 1pm at the fayre, at the Kingsway Hospital site. There is a small charge for tea and cake, with money going to the League of Friends. The League of Friends fayre runs from 1pm to 5pm on Saturday and will feature live entertainment, magic show, Punch and Judy, bouncy castle, games and stalls.
In August a Big 70 Bake-Off gives our best bakers the chance to show their talents, with awards for best-looking and most creative categories as well as the best-tasting cakes.
Fun run, Saturday 15 September
A final event in the Trust celebrations comes on Saturday 15 September, when families, service users, carers and members of the Trust are invited to take part in a family fun run day. The event starts at 10am at the Kingsway Hospital site and will see runners completing a 5k run – there are no winners or losers. Children are welcome but must be accompanied on the run.
There will be prizes for best fancy dress, oldest and youngest runner, as well as traditional children’s races, face painting and magic shows. To enter the fun run contact Shirley Houston on Shirley.houston@nhs.net.
