Today marks 75 years of the NHS and Milton Keynes University Hospital CEO is celebrating the 'very real, hard work' carried out by staff across the UK.
Professor Joe Harrison, Milton Keynes Hospital CEO, has issued a statement to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the NHS, discussing the challenges, hope, joy and community it brings.
"Today marks the 75th year of the creation of the NHS. Generations have lived under its care - the comfort of a health service free at the point of need, available to all. Most of us feel a strong emotional attachment to the NHS, to its ethos, and to the people who work within it - those who care for us, who care for our families and on whom we rely at our most vulnerable moments.
"There are a few things I wanted to say today. I will start with thank you. Thank you to each of you who have dedicated all or part of your working lives to the NHS. To caring for people, and for supporting the care of people. We don't celebrate an abstract concept today, but the very real, hard work carried out day and night by more than 1.3 million people delivering healthcare across the UK.
"I also want to recognise that the NHS workforce is a global one. That our NHS family is made up of people from all over the world, united in purpose, and our diversity makes us infinitely richer.
"Finally, it is those of us working in the NHS as it reaches 75 who will steward the service - its staff and patients through the next difficult years. We should feel the weight and privilege of that responsibility. We are charged with the guardianship of the NHS's founding principles, and also in ensuring our services and those who provide them flourish. There are always challenging days and years in the NHS, but there is also always hope, joy and community. There is all of life here, in its infinite fragility and its boundless possibility. Today we celebrate people and the shared human endeavour that is our NHS."
Buildings across the country will be lighting up blue this evening to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the NHS, including the civic office in Milton Keynes.
People are encouraged to take photos and share them via social media using the hashtags: #NHS75 and #LightUpBlue.
As part of the anniversary, health staff from Milton Keynes University Hospital and from across the Bedfordshire, Luton and MK care board have been invited to services at Westminster Abbey.
Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will be joined by NHS staff, senior government and political leaders, health leaders and celebrities at the service.
