NHS Tayside is marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the NHS on Wednesday, 5 July with various celebratory events being held across the region.
The focus of this anniversary is on thanking all staff who work in health and social care who continue to deliver high quality compassionate care to patients and their families.
To mark this special milestone, NHS Tayside, in partnership with the Carse of Gowrie & District Men’s Shed group, has upcycled three NHS 75th Anniversary commemorative benches which have been placed in the grounds of Stracathro Hospital, Perth Royal Infirmary and Ninewells Hospital for staff, patients and visitors to enjoy.
Over the last few weeks, members of the Men’s Shed group donated their time and skills to carefully upcycle benches which were supplied by NHS Tayside enabling the recycled and refurbished benches to be used by staff, patients and public once again.
At the unveiling of the Ninewells bench ceremony, Chair of Tayside NHS Board, Lorna Birse-Stewart and Employee Director Jenny Alexander met with Terry Howson, Graeme Mudie, John Hodge, George Leaburn from the Men’s Shed group and NHS Tayside interim Building Maintenance Manager Neil McKenzie to thank them for their work on the benches.
The group was then invited to have a cup of tea and slice of birthday cake with the Chair and the Employee Director, which provided an opportunity for them to hear more about the work of the Men’s Shed group.
Chair of Tayside NHS Board Lorna Birse-Stewart said, “I am delighted that NHS Tayside is celebrating NHS 75th Anniversary with the focus on thanking the staff and volunteers who work in health and social care services. There are various celebratory events being held to mark this special day involving staff, patients and volunteers ranging from afternoon teas to birthday card making to creating commemorative benches.
“I am particularly pleased that the benches have been upcycled in partnership with a local Men’s Shed charity. On behalf of Tayside NHS Board, I would like to thank Carse of Gowrie & District Men’s Shed for undertaking this project with such enthusiasm and care. Looking to the future of health and social care, the value of volunteers and community groups and the important role that they have, and will continue to have, in supporting the delivery of services cannot be underestimated.
“Over the last seven decades, there have been so many incredible achievements and innovations that the NHS today, with the vast range of services it now provides, bears little resemblance to what was originally offered back in 1948. Few could have predicted the giant leaps that have taken place but one thing that has always underpinned the NHS through periods of significant challenge, and is still true now, is the remarkable staff who put their patients at the heart of everything they do and go the extra mile day-in and day-out.”
Nick Tindle, Chairman of Carse of Gowrie & District Men's Shed, said, “On behalf of Carse of Gowrie & District Men’s Shed I would like to thank the NHS Tayside for the opportunity to refurbish the benches in commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the NHS.
“The refurbished benches proudly stand as a lasting tribute to the NHS and provide a place of respite for patients, visitors, and staff. We are honoured to have contributed to this significant milestone and remain dedicated to supporting the invaluable work of the NHS.”
A birthday is not a birthday without a card and children and staff in Tayside Children’s Hospital got right into the spirit of things creating a varied selection of colourful happy NHS 75th birthday cards which will be on display on the Ninewells concourse.
Celebrations to mark the special day are also being held across Tayside with patients, staff and volunteers to enjoy an afternoon tea at Dundee Dental Hospital, Kingsway Care Centre, Whitehills Health and Community Care Centre in Forfar, Arbroath Infirmary, Murray Royal Hospital, Ninewells Hospital and at St Margaret’s Community Hospital in Auchterarder.
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