“It’s been the most challenging year in the history of the NHS and staff from across the health service have pulled out the stops like never before to deliver extraordinary care. From the domestic workers on the COVID-19 wards who have worked tirelessly to keep hospitals clean, to medical students heading the call for 111 call handlers and IT professionals working around the clock to keep services running, the NHS has mobilised to tackle this once in a lifetime global pandemic.”
Sir Simon Stevens, Chief Executive, NHS England and NHS Improvement
On 5 July 2020, it will be 72 years since the NHS and social care system was established.
2020 has been the most challenging year in NHS history. This year, the birthday is an opportunity to recognise, reflect and remember. To recognise the skills, commitment, achievements, compassion and diversity of all our 1.9 million people, across more than 350 different professions.
Over the last few months staff have worked around the clock to tackle coronavirus – caring for the 100,000 patients with COVID-19 who needed specialist hospital treatment and treating countless others besides, redesigning services and creating backup Nightingale hospitals.
None of this would have been possible without the help and support of countless individuals and organisations around the country.
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