Celebrating NHS 70

This year the NHS turns 70 and across the Trust we plan to join this special celebration.

A programme of activity is scheduled both nationally and locally that spans the whole of the year and will peak around the actual birthday of 5 July 2018.

Across the Trust teams from communications, arts, fundraising and volunteering have combined efforts to create a programme that reflects the present and past NHS, to appreciate how far this unique organisation has come over the past 70 years.

Look out for the arts project capturing staff and patients in the NHS in a series of photographs which will provide the basis for an exhibition. There will also be music, poetry and fundraising events across the Trust all with the NHS 70 theme.

Susan Symington, Chair of the Trust, said: “This year is a wonderful opportunity for people to celebrate the organisation that we’re so proud to work for. Taking the time to appreciate all that our staff do, and have done throughout the years to care for patients and ensure the smooth running of our hospitals and services, is hugely significant.”

A regional highlight will be a music concert in York Minster on 5 July which is open to all. The fundraising team are planning a tea party for patients and staff, a themed fundraising afternoon tea on 5 July, and activities with schools.

The volunteering team will call for people to donate 70 hours of time to coincide with National Volunteers Week, and will focus on our own volunteers and their stories.

And the communications team is on the search for your stories.

So much has changed over 70 years, we would love to hear the memories of long serving staff members, family stories of the early days of the NHS, local knowledge and connections and even how our newest recruits feel about being part of the NHS. It’s the people who work within the NHS who make it the organisation it is, and we would love to hear from you. We have a whole year to celebrate so get in touch and we’ll share all your wonderful thoughts and memories!

Contact elaine.vinter@york.nhs.uk or call 772 1592.