Today is the 75^th birthday of the NHS, founded on 5 July 1948, and born out of a long-held ideal that good healthcare should be available to all, regardless of wealth.

Here’s just a snapshot of some of the many celebrations that took place today across the region plus a few more still to come:

• Staff from many NHS organisations across the region have attended today’s service at Westminster Abbey, and others also were invited to an NHS 75 reception at Number 10 Downing Street
• This weekend, NHS 75 parkruns will be held across the east of England region and nationally, following the national launch which took place last month in Colchester
• Photos by staff from our region are on display at an exhibition in London for the Fujifilm NHS 75 photography competition
• Many buildings across the region will be lighting up in blue this evening to celebrate the NHS’s birthday
• The east of England region also achieved 10 shortlisted entries from regional Trusts for the national NHS Parliamentary Awards held today in Westminster, as nominated by their local MPs. Their initiatives were entered for a range of themes including urgent and emergency care, nursing and volunteers. Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust was announced a winner for their “Anchor Ambition 25” workforce scheme (in the Health Equalities Parliamentary Awards section). The Virtual Hospital Programme at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust also gained Highly Commended as a joint entry, in the category Excellence in Healthcare Award. Congratulations to everyone!
• Watch this heart-warming, short video from east of England NHS colleagues who share what today’s NHS75th birthday means to them!

Catherine Morgan OBE, Chief Nurse in the East of England said: “I hope that today everyone who works in the NHS has a chance to celebrate at some stage and reflect what this fantastic milestone represents. Daily the NHS provides amazing care to patients to help them live longer, happier lives. I wish to extend thanks to all our brilliant staff, volunteers and the public for their work, contribution, and commitment to the NHS. Today is also a time for renewal as the NHS as we continually seek ways to improve our services and the way we provide them to patients and support our staff to do this. So, enjoy this memorable day”.