Andover NHS heroes mark the health service's 73rd birthday

Staff in units including Andover's Children Therapy Services and Sexual Health Clinic were among those being delivered with snacks and tea as part of 'The Big Tea' to commemorate the health service's founding following the Second World War.

Elsewhere in Hampshire, Basingstoke Fire Station lit up blue in solidarity with NHS heroes.

Liz Rix, one of Hampshire's chief nurses, said: “This has been a year like no other for our NHS family across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight – they have faced incredible challenges dealing with the pandemic and keeping other vital services going, but they have also brought real hope, in particular through our world-leading vaccination programme.

“So it’s right that we take the opportunity of the 73rd anniversary of our NHS to highlight the incredible contribution that staff have made, those who have helped them and our communities too."

Meanwhile, in London, senior NHS staff attended a special birthday service at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, this morning, including managers, first responders and chaplains.

Local services have taken to social media to express their birthday messages to the institution as well, with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Integrated Care System writing: "On this day in 1948 the NHS was born, the first ever national health service providing completely free care for its citizens.

"Today we thank all of the amazing workers who've kept us going through every challenge, come what may. You are astonishing."

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance added: "Happy 73rd birthday to the NHS.

"A huge thank you to our friends and colleagues for their amazing service and dedication, thanks for all that you do and we are proud to work alongside you."

In light of the milestone, top clinicians have urged people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight inspired by the excellence of NHS staff over the last 18 months to consider joining them.

With more people than ever working for the NHS in England, chief nursing officer Ruth May, NHS national medical director Professor Stephen Powis and Suzanne Rastrick, the NHS’s chief allied health professions officer, have written an open letter urging young people preparing for the world of work and others contemplating a career change to think about joining the “biggest care team in the world”.

Liz Rix added: “Seeing the breadth of staff representing Hampshire and the Isle of Wight at the national service today is another reminder of the huge range of roles available for people with all kinds of different backgrounds, talents and passions.

“If you want to make a difference in your local community too, search health careers today and consider joining us.”

The open letter encourages the public to apply for any one of the 25,000 vacancies currently being advertised - many of which fall outside traditional health roles such as doctor and nurse and do not require a medical or health background – or to consider training courses for health roles, whatever stage of their career they are at.

The call comes on the back of a record breaking 18 months, in which the higher profile of NHS staff over the last year led to a surge in people joining up.

Almost 200,000 people have taken up jobs in the NHS in the last year, a 6.8 per cent rise from the year before. The NHS has also seen a jump in interest for degrees related to healthcare, with medical applications up by a fifth from 23,720 to 28,690.

Meanwhile, applications for nursing degrees increased by almost a third to 60,130 for the 2021/22 academic year. The increase in applications and employees comes on the back of a year where NHS staff treated more than 400,000 covid patients while continuing to see millions of patients for non-covid conditions and successfully delivering the world’s first vaccination programme.

And the NHS wants to continue to benefit from the surge in interest by encouraging even more people to consider joining after being inspired by the health service’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, from treating 400,000 covid patients in hospital to administering the first jab for the virus anywhere in the world.

Professor Stephen Powis, national medical director for the NHS in England, said: “The incredible compassion, skill and pure hard work NHS staff perform every day has been centre stage for the past 18 months so it is no surprise that thousands more people are feeling inspired to join the best workforce in the world.

“The NHS is more than just doctors and nurses and there are so many exciting roles available, many of which do not require a formal medical qualification, from porters and cleaners to catering staff and IT analysts.

“So as we celebrate 73 years of our wonderful NHS, I urge all of you who have been inspired this past year to visit our website and take a look at the 25,000 roles currently available, and we look forward to welcoming you to one of the most rewarding jobs you can do.”