On Wednesday, July 5, the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) marked its 75th anniversary since its founding in 1948. The NHS was formed with the goal of providing free healthcare to everyone in the UK. A special ceremony was held at Westminster Abbey, which was attended by 1,500 people, mostly NHS staff. During the event, the NHS was celebrated as a “cornerstone of national life”. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh graced the occasion, along with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. The George Cross, which had been awarded by the late Queen to the NHS in 2022 in honor of its outstanding service, was placed for display on the altar by May Parsons, who is recognized as the nurse who administered the first Covid-19 vaccine in the world.
Premier Christian News reports:
Wednesday marked the 75th anniversary of the National Health Service – founded in 1948, with the aim of providing free healthcare to all in the UK.
1,500 people – mostly NHS staff – gathered for a special ceremony at Westminster Abbey, in which the National Health Service was praised as a “cornerstone of national life”.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were also in attendance, together with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer – both of whom delivered scriptures from the Bible.
The George Cross – awarded to the NHS by the late Queen in 2022 in recognition of its exceptional service – was placed on the alter by May Parsons, the nurse who administered the world’s first Covid-19 vaccine.
Speaking in her address, Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, spoke of the continuously innovative and adaptive strength of the NHS and its health care professionals, to “meet the changing needs of our patients and communities” even in the face of unprecedented challenges and a global pandemic.
She praised staff, volunteers and partners of the service for providing “a beacon of hope for a nation during dark and uncertain times”.
Delivering the sermon, Dean of Westminster the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle emphasised the NHS as a display of who the British people want to be.
“This is more than history today; more than ambition. Today is all about our hope – about our belief,” he said.
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