Ten staff from NHS South Yorkshire joined other NHS staff, senior government and political leaders, health leaders and celebrities at a service at Westminster Abbey to celebrate the NHS 75th birthday.
The service, held at 11am on Wednesday 5 July, included an address by NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard.
Guests in the Abbey included around 1,500 NHS staff, as well as some famous names and NHS Charities Together.
May Parsons, an associate chief nurse who delivered the world’s first vaccine outside of a clinical trial in December 2020, will carry / carried the George Cross into the Abbey in a procession. May received the medal from Queen Elizabeth II, along with NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard and representatives from the other UK health services at Windsor Castle in July 2022.
She was joined by 17-year-old Kyle Dean-Curtis, St John Ambulance cadet of the year, who wants to work in the NHS, and 91-year-old Enid Richmond, who was one of the first people to work in the NHS as a junior clerical worker and whose sister still volunteers in the health service.
Dr Jason Page, local GP and Medical Director at Rotherham Place at NHS South Yorkshire said: “This is a hugely significant milestone; I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone, who have made the NHS what it is. The care the NHS provides on a daily basis is something that should be widely celebrated during this special year.
For three quarters of a century, The NHS has been a shining example of compassion, dedication, and excellence in healthcare. Treating over a million people daily, it touches the heart of everyone.”
Cathy Winfield, Chief Nurse at NHS South Yorkshire commented: “I feel honoured and privileged to be recognised with this nomination in one of the most important milestones of the NHS.
It was an honour to celebrate the NHS 75th anniversary at Westminster Abbey and to represent NHS South Yorkshire. I want to say a heartfelt thank you to staff across South Yorkshire for providing the best possible care for our patients and for your compassionate excellence”.
Prayers were read by health and social care secretary Steve Barclay, chief nurse Dame Ruth May, NHS national medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis, chief allied health professions officer Prof Suzanne Rastrick OBE, and Richard Webb-Stevens, a paramedic who was first on the scene of the Westminster Bridge terror attack and who holds the Queen’s Ambulance Medal for Distinguished Service.
