NHS staff from across the Black Country attended a special multi-faith service at Westminster Abbey last week to celebrate the NHS’s 75th birthday.
A number of colleagues from a range of professions were selected to join 1,5000 NHS staff from across the country to attend the ceremony, which took place on Wednesday 5 July as the NHS turned 75.
The service, which included an address by NHS Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard, was attended by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Labour Party leader Sir Kier Starmer, Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, as well as a number of TV celebrities and personalities.
Attendees heard from a range of inspirational speakers, including Ellie Orton, Chief Executive of NHS Charities Together, and Dr Martin English and Dr Michael Griksaitis, NHS consultants who jointly led a team who evacuated 21 Ukrainian children with cancer over to the UK from Poland in March 2022, following the Russian invasion.
Katy Menear, Deputy Palliative Care and End of Life Lead for Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust attended the service and said: “It was a really lovely day. There was a real sense of pride and belonging with strangers chatting to each other in the queue and as we sat down.
“The ceremony not only celebrated the NHS but recognised the difficulties we have all faced and how we continue to have hope. There were some really interesting speakers, and it was nice to see some of the procession chatting to the audience as they left.
“Outside the Abbey the atmosphere was warm with everyone taking their time to take photos and take it all in. It really was a privilege to attend and represent the trust and I’m so pleased I was able to be part of it today.”
Dr Kam Ahmed, a local GP in the Black Country, attended the celebration after being nominated by his colleagues for his efforts in co-ordinating and supporting the COVID-19 vaccine campaign. He said: “It was a privilege and an honour to have been nominated by colleagues in the Black Country to attend the formal event at Westminster Abbey on their behalf. The Abbey played a central part in the king’s coronation earlier this year and has been on my bucket list of places to visit for some time. I was in awe of its grandeur and its historically symbolic position in our countries past.
“I was in the company of colleagues from across the country who have helped to shape change and gone above and beyond for the NHS. The service was both joyous and emotional and gave us time to reflect on the amazing work that is carried out every day as well as celebrate the NHS’s 75th birthday.”
Alex Devers is a Junior Sister in the Adult Community Team at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and was selected to attend the service. She said: “It was a privilege to represent the Trust at the NHS 75th birthday service in Westminster and to meet so many inspiring health professionals from across the country – including the first ever sickle cell nurse, who came from Wolverhampton! We had the most amazing day and are so grateful to have had this opportunity.”
Tina Hatton, Clinical Nurse Specialist with the Deaf Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and Emma Louis, Spiritual Care Lead, both work at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHFT) and were selected to attend on behalf of the Trust.
Tina said: “It was an honour to represent the Trust at Westminster Abbey, Emma and I brought the warmth and glee with us! I was moved to be amongst such a diverse group of NHS people from right across the UK, all our work was raised up, in the church where history happens.
“I was one of three to use the BSL interpretation, Lucy the interpreter not only managed the spoken words but performed the hymns too. The deaf visibility felt like my own Rose Ayling-Ellis “Strictly” moment! With over 30 years of NHS nursing, it was a moment to be thankful.”
Emma added: “We were delighted to be representing the Trust at such a significant occasion. It was both fantastic and moving to see such a diverse gathering of NHS staff from across all roles and organisations.
“Inspirational stories and reflections were shared, and it felt like a real celebration of this institution that I am very proud to work for. Chaplains were there at the beginning of the NHS in 1948 and the spiritual care team at BCHFT is very glad to be continuing that work.”
Mark Axcell, Chief Executive Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “It’s fantastic that so many of our colleagues across the Black Country were able to attend the celebration service at Westminster Abbey last week, representing our diverse workforce.
“The service was a great opportunity to reflect on the last 75 years of the NHS and honour those who have contributed to its remarkable journey. I know how proud our people are to be part of the NHS and being at the service meant so much to those who were chosen.”
