The NHS was founded in July, 1948, when children died of whooping cough, diphtheria and tuberculosis, and the average person lived less than 50 years. Now childhood deaths are rare and we expect to live almost twice as long.  Many of us swallow dozens of daily medications, are overweight and fail to exercise. Yet the NHS continues to treat us all, free at the point of delivery, saving millions of lives, thanks to the dedication of all nursing staff, the gems in the welfare crown.

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Nightingale, founded principles of modern nursing. Seacole, provided sustenance and care during the Crimean War. Lincoln, morally opposed to slavery. Churchill, highly distinguished wartime leader. Curie, huge contribution to finding treatments for cancer. Darwin, transformed the way we understand the natural world. Yet they all suffered extreme bouts of anxiety, agoraphobia, or the 'black dog' of depression. Experts believe that Nightingale suffered from bipolar disorder, as did King George III. Today, they might never have succeeded given the stigma related to mental health!

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"Care is far more likely to meet the needs of all the patients...when NHS leadership is drawn from diverse communities."

Simon Stevens, Chief Executive NHS

Anenurin Bevan, Minister of Health, on the first day of the National Health Service, 5 July 1948 at Park Hospital, Davyhulme, Manchester