Media centre

Press release: As the NHS turns 60, MPs from all political parties believe it's 'extraordinary'

07 Jul 2008

MPs from all political parties have been talking about why they are proud of the health service and its staff as part of the NHS Employers 60th anniversary campaign.

Running throughout 2008, the campaign celebrates the NHS workforce with the slogan 'ordinary people doing extraordinary things'. MPs are among thousands of people, including patients and NHS staff, who have explained why they are proud of our health service on special anniversary postcards.

Health Minister and MP for Brentford and Isleworth, Ann Keen, described her NHS career:

"I was born the same year as the NHS and have felt an affinity ever since! I have worked as a clerk and a nurse, also in community and nurse education. It was a privilege to be always in a place of great learning with different disciplines from all over the world. We all made a difference to the lives of many and I'm very proud of the NHS."

Conservative Party Leader and MP for Witney, David Cameron, wrote about his very personal experience of the NHS:

"I think of the doctors, nurses, porters, ambulance drivers, volunteers and all the others who have helped look after my son at St Mary's, Great Ormond Street Hospital, the Evelina (Children's Hospital) and everywhere else.  Their care, dedication, determination to help and find out what can be done is inspiring and we should all share pride in the NHS and the values that underpin it."

Norman Lamb MP, and Shadow Health Secretary for the Liberal Democrats, said:

"The dedication, expertise and pride of NHS staff is an enormous asset. More than anything else their work has helped build the public's trust in the NHS and helped make it into a national institution that we can all be proud of. The NHS has helped make our country a fairer and healthier place - the hard work of NHS staff has made this possible even in the most trying of circumstances."

Among other celebratory messages from politicians, Parmjit Dhanda MP gave personal reasons for his pride in the NHS; "it gave my mother her first job in the 1960s. She cleaned at Ealing Hospital for over 20 years.. if she hadn't done the job that she did, I don't think I'd be doing the one I do today", while Oliver Letwin MP explained that "the skilful and devoted people who work in it provide me and my constituents with the most precious of all services - the preservation of our lives." Mike Hancock MP talked about the commitment of NHS staff to their jobs: "I....never fail to be amazed at the dedication of the staff who deserve far better press than they get - we owe them so much."

 Describing the campaign, Alastair Henderson, acting director of NHS Employers said:

"We have had an overwhelming response to the campaign, with over 250 trusts pledging their involvement, and support from thousands of patients, staff members, politicians and celebrities, which demonstrates how much people value NHS staff and the contribution they make to our communities. The 60th anniversary presents an ideal opportunity to do exactly this."

Notes for editors

• A book featuring 60 staff and their stories, representing a snapshot of the NHS today, will be published later in the year.
• Further comments from staff and patients are available at www.nhsemployers.org/extraordinary , and include the following:

'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.'

'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 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!'

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

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

Contact details

The press office provides a comprehensive service to keep journalists informed about the work of NHS Employers.

If you have a media enquiry, please contact the press office:

• Georgina Vincent
  0207 074 3308 or georgina.vincent@nhsemployers.org

For out of hours media enquiries, please contact the duty press officer on 07880 500726.

Back to media centre