Postcard quotes

Staff, patients and the public at Chelsea and Westminster open day on 10 May 2008 were asked to tell us on the back of postcards why they are proud of the NHS and its staff. This is a selection of their responses.

• Staff quotes
• Patient quotes

Staff quotes

'I am proud to be part of the NHS and the changing world of healthcare. I always wanted to be a nurse from the age of 16 and 20 years later could never do anything else.' - Holly

'I am so proud to work with such committed, professional and caring people who are here for us whatever walk of life, 24 hours a day!'

'Working for the NHS and specially for Chelsea and Westminster is a real pleasure as it is one of the best hospitals. The working opportunities as well as education is very good. I am very proud of working for the NHS.'

'Staff really care about the patient's total care, involving the patient and family in all aspects to make their stay a good, memorable experience.'

'Great hardworking staff, excellent team work, approachable senior staff and management members.'

'I am extremely proud to be a nurse in the NHS. I feel I make a difference.'

'Extremely hardworking team who strive to provide the best care possible.'

'Chelsea and Westminster Hospital is one of the most committed hospitals. I would say that because I've been working here for about 6 years now in main theatre and each and every staff are committed and working hard to finish all elective cases and trying to do more emergencies, utilizing more staff and resources in a very nice manner so that we're not spending more for waste.'

'I'm proud to work in the NHS because we treat everyone regardless of insurance, age, race, religion, social class, etc. I chose to be a nurse in the NHS to help people become healthier, help them through their illness and to just work with a wide variety of people.'

'The NHS is always at your service, whether you have the money or not! Volunteering at an NHS hospital inspired me to study medicine at university and allowed me to understand how every member of the health service is equally important.'

'It's amazing that the NHS is free at the point of treatment. This health service continues to improve its targets and introduce novel health treatments for the public. It is inspiring to be part of an organisation that makes a direct difference in the lives of the public.'

'Extraordinary people: the people I work with. How lucky am I. Where else would you get free care at the point of delivery? Only in the UK.'

'The world class research and clinical trials, pioneering hospital for new intervention. Working here is like living a dream. Thank you!'

'Michelle is an extraordinary oncology nurse. She always has a smile on her face, keeps positive for her patients and finds a way to keep them smiling and positive through their chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.'

'Passion and dedication of staff at the Trust is inspiring - only this morning over thirty paediatric staff gave up their Saturday morning to talk about the future of their service.'

'I'm proud to work at the NHS cause I can have benefits regarding employment and there is continuing learning and good care for the patient.'

'Gives me joy that my patients say to me that I helped them feel better.'

'We are extraordinary because we are dedicated and proactive, we help patients 1st!'

'The NHS is an extraordinary place to work. The team is fantastic. They are patient, they listen to you and attend appropriately. The NHS is surely the right place to be.'

'Knowing that I have made someone's difficult experience more bearable makes me proud to be a nurse.'

'Supportive, good employer.'

'Where else do you have people with different skill mix, cultures, beliefs come together for one common goal of improving someone's wellbeing?'

'I love my patients.'

'My experience with medical staff in the NHS has been great and the amount of care and attention they have given me has been wonderful. They have inspired me to become a medic.'

'I am proud to have worked in an NHS family. Dad a doctor 40 years. Mum a nurse 30 years. Me a nurse 25 years. 95 years!'

'We provide a fantastic free service to all. Staff do a brilliant job in very difficult circumstances. Sometimes we get it wrong, but we always do our best.' - Matron

'I'm proud of working for a health service that is renowned worldwide.'

'Having worked in the hospital for 8 years, my experience of putting smile into people's faces makes me happy. In return I am guaranteed a promising pension after retirement.'

'Because I get a sense of job satisfaction and feel like I've made a small difference at the end of the day. And, women like men in uniform!!!'

'The NHS is unique, irreplaceable and MUST be nurtured and preserved. It is also a good employer and supports its staff well.'

'I'm very proud to work in the NHS because we are treated equally...I learned a lot here. Continuing education, courses, stuff like that.'

'The team working and commitment of staff makes working in the NHS worthwhile, enabling us to care for patients.'

'NHS is the best organisation to work for. C&W chief executive is the most wonderful person and she makes everyone feel special. She deserves recognition!'

'As an NHS employee you feel looked after and rewarded for what you do. I am proud of the research they do.'

'The greatest group of hard working people!'

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Patient quotes

'Appendicitis, broken limbs, giving birth, allergies, lung problems, asthma - the NHS and the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital have always been there to put things right. Thank you! My daughter and I appreciate your help.'

'The staff have been wonderful. They have saved my life more than once.'

'They have helped saved friends' lives and saved my little brother.' - Shelley Davis

'My heart swells with pride - having been a patient on 8 occasions I here had care and loving kindness and feel the NHS has made me well and stronger.'

'I have been in and out of hospital for 42 years because of a burns accident I had as a child. I have had the best care from plastic surgeons, nurses, doctors, etc. I have always received 5 star treatment.' - G Howard

'The national health helped my sister when she had a tumour in her spine and now she can walk. Well done NHS.'

'Such a wonderful dream 60 years ago - free health care is a great thing and has huge numbers of dedicated staff.'

'Your hospital was full of happy and warm attitude and I was pleased for my sister-in-law to delivery the baby here.'

'The NHS is a most excellent organisation. With such care the trust staff show you, so caring and it's all free. I am very proud of our fine NHS.'

'It's best to know that there are people who really care. NHS and staff are very helpful in every way it's been possible.'

'Because it looks after people and my mummy works for them.'

'The NHS is the best thing that happened to this country. Compared to other countries I would rather live here just because of the NHS.'

'I am proud of the NHS because of the many staff - doctors, midwives, nurses, physios, etc who ensured my son would be able to walk after he was born with severe clubfoot in both feet.' - Jan Stevens

'The NHS is a beacon and the greatest example of how a society should care for the disadvantaged.'

'Without the NHS I would probably not be here...The staff at the C&W have looked after me so well, they are dedicated to the care of their patients, a big thank you from me.'

'It is free at the point of need. I have had many operations over the years (I am 77) and hope that the NHS is Never privatized either overtly or by the back door!'

'Long live the NHS.'

'The stroke team at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital provide excellent patient centred care, responding sensitively to carer's needs and striving to deliver the best service.'

'The nurses are very kind and they saved my life.'

'Staff at C&W go the extra mile to provide excellent health care - patient-centred, multidisciplary, in a high tech but caring environment.'

'At 18 my daughter needed the NHS and they came through a winner with many more years of treatment. I'd like to say 'thank you.'

'The NHS is the lifeline of the people of Great Britain.'

'Thank you for healing my daughter. xx'

'I'm extremely proud of the NHS because when my 70 year old mother required adequate care they provided a brilliant round the clock service and helped her recover. Well done!'

'For helping my mum enjoy quality of life after cancer.'

'So thankful we have such dedicated people; had an op in 2002 at C hosp and the care pre and post op was absolutely second to none! My GP has also been very faithfully helpful when I was in time of great need. Many thanks and keep going, please!!'

'Both of my friend's children were delivered here. Amazing services. Wonderful midwives and nurses. Thank you.'

'Proud to work for an institution that gives healthcare to all without prejudice.'

'You put your patient first above anything else. You listen to patient needs and then act upon it. You are doing a good job. Well done.'

'Rheumatology specialist nurses - wonderful.'

'I really like the ambulance services.'

'Because there is no nicer place to be treated in the world than the NHS. I am really proud for the service they provided and care they provided.'

'Appreciate the service at the A&E. Sensitivity to children - A plus.'

'NHS employees are very understanding and patient. They treat patients very well. They are hard working and very kind.'

'I have been attending the hospital for a number of years because of severe epilepsy. The care and expertise I have received from all levels of staff has been exemplary. Without their help my life would not be manageable.'

'The NHS is our proudest asset for the UK. The staff are an inspiration, dedicated, professional, talented and truly dedicated to care.'

'Nurses provide care and compassion behind the curtain to maintain the dignity and humanism essential to restore health and to assist throughout a patient's illness and death.'

'No matter who you are you're equal in the NHS. Long may it endure.'

Please send your completed postcards to:

May Hasan
NHS Employers
29 Bressenden Place
London
SW1E 5DD

Good luck with your celebrations - we can't wait to see the results!