Staff, patients, volunteers and visitors across the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust came together yesterday to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the NHS.

The festivities started early on Thursday (5 July) with ITV’s Dr. Hilary Jones heading down memory lane and presenting live from the Royal Free Hospital – where he trained as a junior doctor – for Good Morning Britain and Lorraine.

In Dr. Hilary’s first interview he spoke to Craig Binch, senior matron for the emergency department, and found out just how things had changed for Craig since he started in nursing 20 years ago. Then it was off to the children’s ward to say hello to staff and chat to Emillie Lee, senior ward sister.

It was then on to the NHS Big 7Tea parties across the trust, sponsored by the Royal Free Charity. The first, at Chase Farm Hospital, set the tone for the day with staff from across the hospital coming together to celebrate the NHS and share memories with tea, cake, photo booths, and massages. You view the exciting photos from the celebration here.

At Barnet Hospital a DIY choir sprang up on the day with staff, volunteers and patients singing their rendition of this year’s NHS charity single ‘With a little help from my friends’.

While at the Royal Free Hospital the many nationalities that are at heart of the NHS were celebrated and local MP Tulip Siddiq came along to thank the staff.

Tea parties also took place at Enfield Civic Centre and Edgware Community Hospital, where staff raised a cuppa to the NHS.

Meanwhile, Royal Free London staff and volunteers were part of the national celebrations.

Volunteer Malavika Bangera was awarded a Points of Light award by Prime Minister Theresa May. Malavika volunteers at the Royal Free Hospital where she has been instrumental to the success of a project which incorporates live music into daily hospital activity. Live gigs take place in communal areas at the hospital, including the main reception and discharge lounge, and on many of the wards.

Royal Free Charity chief executive Chris Burghes said:

Young people are such an important part of our volunteering programme and it is fantastic to see Malavika recognised for her hard work and commitment.

Chris Burghes

“Young people are such an important part of our volunteering programme and it is fantastic to see Malavika recognised for her hard work and commitment.”

On Wednesday evening, RFL group chief executive Sir David Sloman and eight staff members were invited to a reception hosted by the prime minister at Number 10 Downing Street.

The focal point of the national festivities was a special service at Westminster Abbey, also attended by Sir David and staff governors Dr. Banwari Agarwal, a consultant at the Royal Free Hospital, and Marva Sammy, a senior sister at Barnet Hospital.    

Sir David said:

The NHS 70 celebrations were a wonderful opportunity for us to reflect on the many incredible achievements of the NHS and to thank our amazing staff and volunteers. The Royal Free Hospital was founded in 1828 to provide free healthcare to those who could not afford medical treatment, and that became the fundamental founding principle of the NHS which is as strong here at the Royal Free London as it was all those years ago. Here’s to the next 70 years!

Sir David Sloman

“The NHS 70 celebrations were a wonderful opportunity for us to reflect on the many incredible achievements of the NHS and to thank our amazing staff and volunteers. The Royal Free Hospital was founded in 1828 to provide free healthcare to those who could not afford medical treatment, and that became the fundamental founding principle of the NHS which is as strong here at the Royal Free London as it was all those years ago. Here’s to the next 70 years!”