6 July 2018
The First Minister joined in the celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the NHS, wishing a happy birthday to one of our most treasured institutions.
FM @NicolaSturgeon and @JeaneF1MSP visited Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow for the #NHSScot70 celebrations pic.twitter.com/ImAK8uzNhz
— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) July 5, 2018
She joined Health Secretary Jeane Freeman at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow to meet patients, family and staff. They joined in with some 1940s games before visiting one of the wards.
Here are some of the lovely images from yesterday's wonderful #NHS70Birthday celebrations at the RHC with @NicolaSturgeon @JeaneF1MSP @scotgov pic.twitter.com/eQ14St50Iv
— NHSGGC (@NHSGGC) July 6, 2018
In the evening the First Minister spoke at a celebration event at the National Museums of Scotland, attended by HRH The Earl of Strathearn. The audience – made up of NHS staff and volunteers past and present – was entertained by the Forth Valley Nurses’ Choir.
Happy birthday NHS! Sung by the fantastic @NHSForthValley Nurses' Choir #NHSScot70 pic.twitter.com/gBesbVtkw1
— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) July 5, 2018
The First Minister met Kit Reid, who was working as a nurse on day one of the NHS, 5 July 1948.
@NicolaSturgeon with Kit- one of our nurses who was in at the start of our NHS #NHSScot70 pic.twitter.com/qGiVWAFQGz
— CNO Scotland (@FionaCMcQueen) July 5, 2018
The First Minister said:
It was a pleasure to be able to celebrate this special birthday at the Royal Hospital for Children, with the patients and staff who make the health service the treasured institution that it is.
Our NHS has gone from strength to strength over the past 70 years, and this anniversary is an opportunity to appreciate the vital role the service plays in all our lives. It is also a time to reaffirm our commitment to the founding principles of the NHS – that healthcare should be provided free at the point of need. This commitment remains as strong as ever, and is just as relevant today as it was in 1948, which is why we are investing record-high real terms health funding and have delivered an all-time high in NHS staff numbers.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to the health service over the last 70 years, and all those who continue to work and volunteer across the NHS today.
The Earl of Strathearn joins a Reception to mark 70 years of the NHS, at the National Museum of Scotland #NHS70 pic.twitter.com/uzc5odzgZE
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) July 5, 2018
