Celebrating NHS 75
The NHS will be celebrating its 75th anniversary on Wednesday, 5 July.
To celebrate, we are sharing stories from our colleagues and patients about what the NHS means to them and what their hopes are for its future.
An NHS baby... just
Patricia Garner was born on Friday, 13 August 1948 – a little over a month after the NHS was founded.
“Before I was born, my parents weren’t sure if I was going to be an NHS baby or not. I was due around 17 July 1948, so if I had been early – before the NHS began on 5 July – they would have had to pay, as you did for all services then.
“My gran encouraged everyone to save their change, so when mum went into Eastbourne Maternity Home, she took a tin of money with her in case I was early. I had a brother who was six years older than me and they thought he might be a bit jealous.
“When he was brought to see mum, he said to the nurse ‘if this baby doesn’t hurry up and come, I’m having my money back and I’m buying a bike.’ I think he wished he’d stuck to it and had the push bike in the end!”
Mercia Spare is Chief Nursing Officer at KCHFT and reflects on seeing and being part of many changes in the profession:
“In my early career, patients stayed in hospital for extended periods of time for recuperation. Today it is a very different scenario. We know patients would recuperate better at home or in the community.
"Demand is higher than ever and time seems to slip away much faster. Despite that, I watch first-hand as our nurses give everything to deliver care to all who need it.
"It seems fitting this year that we look to the future of nursing and place emphasis on really transforming how we want and do deliver care in the community. This is so important if we want to inspire the next generation of nurses.”
Scarlett Nolan, aged 30, is an apprentice student nurse in her final year.
“I love the freedom of my job, getting out in our cars every day and meeting different people in their homes.
“In 15 years, I hope there’s more nurses and staff in general. I also hope we’ll provide more care in people’s homes to reduce pressure on the hospitals.”
Karen Martin is a senior specialist practitioner district nurse.
“The NHS is free at the point of entry to everybody who needs it, whether they’re rich or poor, everyone can access the NHS.
“I love being out and about, meeting new people, going to different places and being my own boss.”
Reg Eyre, 80, lives alone in Allington, near Maidstone. He has a weekly visit from district nurses who dress the ulcers on his legs, making it easier for him to get around his home.
Two years ago, Reg had a hip replacement and then fell in his kitchen, breaking his other leg. Both legs developed ulcers but thanks to the weekly visits from the district nurses, he’s able to live independently.
He said: “Without the NHS, I wouldn’t have been able to move forward with my legs. I was in a nursing home for a while but I much prefer being at home. I’ve been lucky as personally, I hadn’t used the NHS until a couple of years ago.”
Reg’s wife Carol died 10 years ago after suffering from motor neurone disease. He’s enormously grateful to the NHS for caring for her at home as he says he wouldn’t have coped had she had to move elsewhere.
Reg hopes more people are trained in the future, enabling the NHS to provide the same kind of care he’s received.
Reg is pictured with Scarlett Nolan and Karen Martin from our Maidstone Community Nursing Team.
Inspired by her mother to become a nurse, Fola Yusuf-Adewuyi is passionate about being able to care for people in the community.
“My mother was a chief matron back at home in Nigeria. I used to watch her get ready for work every morning and go out and help people in our community, and it inspired me to follow in her footsteps.
"Now, as a registered nursing associate, I love being able to help others. In community nursing we spend a lot of time with vulnerable people and we are able to grow close and form unique relationships with them.
"Supporting them to stay at home surrounded by their loved ones is empowering and rewarding for me. I am really proud to work for the NHS and my mum is extremely proud of me that I have followed in her footsteps.”
From working behind the butchers counter at Harrods in London, to becoming a member of the reserve armed forces, Jonathan Minshaw had a varied career before joining the NHS 13 years ago.
"I work as a senior technical field support engineer now. I think that goes to show the range of experience and skills people can bring to all corners of the NHS.
"Working in the IT Team at KCHFT for the last decade, I’ve seen how the last few years in particular have turbo-charged the role of digital technology in the NHS. No two days are ever the same and it's certainly a job that keeps me on my toes.
"It's exciting to see how digital developments will continue to support better, more efficient ways of delivering care across the community.”
Michael Eckley, 79, has been a farmer all his life, running the family farm in Staplehurst.
In December 2022 he had a blood clot in his leg that resulted in an amputation above the knee. He began attending physiotherapy appointments in March and now attends Coxheath Clinic every week.
“I was working right up until I had the blood clot, spraying crops and loading the grain store. Now I have a prosthetic leg and with the help of the amazing physiotherapists here, that’s what I hope to get back to.
“It’s been such a change but this clinic is handy for me as it’s so close to home. I’m learning to balance again and gaining confidence, all with the help of the physiotherapists here.
“The NHS is the best system in the world when it’s working – we want to keep it that way.”
Michael is pictured with Simmone Bristow, 33, physiotherapist. Simmone joined KCHFT in October 2022.
“What I value most about the NHS is the potential for everyone to have a happy, healthy life. I love that we have that in the UK, compared to other countries where the cost of healthcare can be devastating.
“I really enjoy the relationships I get to build with patients and that I have an impact on people’s lives and their wellbeing. I love that feeling of helping.
“As well as working with patients at Coxheath Clinic, I also visit them at home. That could mean seeing a patient just a few times before they’re discharged, or it could mean spending weeks or months visiting them. Seeing patients in their own homes means I can work on whatever is important to them, whether that’s gardening, cooking and cleaning, or exercising.
“In 15 years, I hope all the NHS services we have now are protected and that it remains accessible to everyone.”
District Manager, Janet Marsh, is celebrating 40 years in the NHS, just as her daughter Elizabeth begins her nursing journey.
“I could never have imagined what a varied career I would have had when I started my nurse training over 40 years ago. Nursing has offered me the chance to work in different aspects of the profession, from working with the elderly, to delivering babies, supporting women with post-natal depression and in my present role managing a busy team.
“I feel lucky to have had a career in nursing and I am proud that my daughter is now following in my footsteps. I know that with her, the term 'nurse' is in safe hands as it is with all those I work with to provide the ongoing care to the clients we serve.”
Janet's daughter, Elizabeth Marsh, has always wanted to be a nurse.
"I grew up hearing stories from my parents, who both work in the NHS. Hearing these amazing stories and all the people they have looked after during their careers, inspired me to follow in their footsteps.
"I have learnt so much since joining KCHFT earlier this year and I am fortunate enough to be part of an amazing team of community nurses. I am looking forward to starting my registered nursing degree apprenticeship in October which will set me on the path to becoming a fully qualified nurse."
Cyril Town, 92, was admitted to Tonbridge Cottage Hospital after a fall at home left him with a broken nose and two black eyes. In his words, “I looked like a panda bear”.
Cy, as he’s known, needed some rest, rehabilitation and physical therapy before he was able to go home. During his stay, he shared some of his incredible life story.
At 92 years of age, Cy has seen more than most. As he suggests, “put my name on the internet and you’ll see”.
A singer, actor and model, Cy has worked with many of television’s greatest. He has appeared in classics like Dad’s Army, It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, The Bill, Miss Marple and Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.
However, he confesses his best time was working with the ‘old’ Doctor Who series. Unfortunately, you may not catch his dashing good looks as his main role was as a Dalek. It was a time he loves to talk about and to this day, is still interviewed by specialist magazines for readers who want to know what it was like working with the likes of Jon Pertwee, who became his neighbour and good friend, Tom Baker, Peter Davidson and Sylvester McCoy.
Matron Vicky Mellor said: “We meet such incredible people across our community hospitals. It’s an added bonus to hear patients’ personal stories. Everyone brings something unique and we are able to be a part of that for a short time.”
KCHFT's Chief Pharmacist, Ruth Brown, has been working in the NHS for 40 years.
During this time she has seen many changes, from the introduction of robots to help in the dispensary, to pharmacists now having much more direct contact with patients, as well as huge developments in medicine.
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