Some familiar faces will be appearing on our TV screens tonight celebrating the NHS in the year of its 70th anniversary.

ITV cameras were given access to Barnet Hospital earlier this month to speak to staff about their work and their experience of the NHS.

Some of the interviews are planned for broadcast during a special programme called the ‘NHS Heroes Awards’, which is due to air tonight at 8.30pm, hosted by Paul O’Grady.

The programme will celebrate the inspirational work of NHS staff who devote their lives to caring for people when they are at their most vulnerable and bringing hope where there is despair.

Doctors, nurses, therapists and support staff from all parts of Barnet Hospital took part in the filming day, where they were asked to share on camera their passion for the NHS.

Anna Steel, geriatric registrar at Barnet Hospital, told ITV: “Coming to work every day is like coming to work with my second family.”

Katie Vangucci, manager of the orthopaedic therapy service for Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital, said: “I just can’t imagine working for anyone else. We want the best for our patients and to make sure they can leave our hospital able to enjoy their lives again.”

Memuna Seidu, a cleaner at the birth centre, said: “I think what makes the NHS so special is that everybody cares.”

Steve Shaw, chief executive of Barnet Hospital, said: “It was great to welcome ITV into Barnet Hospital to film our staff and show their dedication to their jobs, their patients and their fellow colleagues. It was a brilliant opportunity for us to open our doors and showcase some of our heroes!” 

We won’t know until tonight which members of staff will be featured.

PIC: Dr Rajamanickam Vignaraja, acute and elderly medicine (far left) and Jeff Froget, orthopaedic therapist (far right) with members of the ITV crew.