Discover | NHS at 70

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The NHS at 73

5 July 2021 marks the 73nd anniversary of the NHS. Over the past year, NHS staff have continued to care for thousands of patients suffering from Covid-19 as well as delivered the largest vaccination programme in history. Listen to voices from our collection reflect on this.

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NHS at 72

5 July 2020 marks the 72nd anniversary of the NHS. The anniversary offers a pause for reflection on what continues to be the most extraordinary moment in the NHS’ longer history, although the challenges of the public health crisis remain. Listen to voices from our archive reflecting on Covid-19 and the NHS.

Image of Rajan smiling, donated to accompany his interview

Rajan Madhok

Professor Rajan Madhok moved to the UK in the 1980s to complete his medical training, intending to return to India after qualifying. However, he discovered his passion for the NHS.

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2020 Year of the Nurse and the Midwife

For 2020 Year of the Nurse and Midwife discover stories from our Digital Archive that reflect the diversity of nurses and midwives and their vital contribution to every area of the NHS.

White on red text - Keep Calm and Carry on - at least 2 m away from each other

Reflections during Covid-19 lockdown: A poetry diary

Rajan Madhok, a retired director of public health and volunteer interviewer for NHS at 70, shares his thoughts on the Covid-19 pandemic through this wonderful poetry anthology, co-curated with his writing group.

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Voices from the NHS Retirement Fellowship

Listen to stories from members of the NHS Retirement Fellowship, a national organisation for retired NHS employees.

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Voices from the First NHS Hospital

Watch patients, staff and local people share their compelling stories of Park Hospital, now known as Trafford General Hospital, birthplace of the NHS in our short film.

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Project Update March 2020

The NHS is now facing the most extraordinary period in its history as it responds to the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic. Please read our full statement here.

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The Brain Charity and NHS at 70

NHS at 70 worked in partnership with The Brain Charity to record stories for our archive of NHS history.

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Christmas in the NHS

Discover Christmases past in the NHS

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NHS at 71

Here we share voices from our Digital Archive that remember the NHS’ origins, capture the 70th anniversary celebrations, and reflect on its future.

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NHS at 70: Valuing the rich history of black and minority ethnic staff

On the 70th anniversary of the arrival of the Windrush we explore the history of black and minority ethnic staff (BAME) working in the NHS through their voices.

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5 July 1948

‘When I was 8, Aneurin Bevan came to stay the night with us because he was going to launch the NHS...'

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World Stroke Day: Reflections from Rob Palk

Highlights from our NHS at 70 interview with Rob Palk (38), about his experience of having a brain haemorrhage and its aftermath

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Voice of the week

Discover our voice of the week...

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Mental Health in the NHS: Changes and experiences

To coincide with Mental Health Awareness week we delve into our Digital Archive to share stories from people about mental health.

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Instruments of Change

Medical Objects, Human Stories - listen to voices from our collection bring to life objects with their personal stories.

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Women, Work and the NHS: Balance for Better

Discover stories from our archive exploring women, work and the NHS to celebrate International Women's Day.

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NHS at 70: Stories from Wales

From early memories of health care and pre-NHS experiences to the challenges of community care now, the stories shared illustrate the unique place of the NHS in everyday life.

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Developing new services for patients: Sickle Cell Disease

Elizabeth Anionwu was one of the first nurses to develop services for patients suffering from sickle cell disease.

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NHS at 70 – Community Reporter Films

These short films have been created by young people who trained as Community Reporters to both share and gather stories about people’s lived experience of the NHS.

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The Story of Our Lives: Digital Archive launch, June 2018

Explore the rich diversity of NHS history through people’s voices. These are a taster of the oral histories recorded by our volunteers in South Wales and Greater Manchester.