Published on: 5 July 2023
Today (5 July 2023) marks the 75th birthday of the NHS, which has been supporting British families since 1948. To commemorate this milestone Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust staff and patients have celebrated the NHS’s birthday with several events and activities.
From a five-a-side football tournament in the sunshine to a walk in the park in Chesterfield, colleagues have come together from all services to recognise the NHS’s success over the last 75 years.
Celebrations were also in order at the Trust’s summer fayre last weekend, organised by the League of Friends charity who voluntarily support the work of Derbyshire Healthcare. Funds were raised to support patient activities for people using NHS services including mental health services, learning disabilities services and children’s services, and an NHS75 ‘Big Tea’ was held to mark the special occasion.
The Trust’s new service developments are a huge part of the Trust’s future, particularly the £150m investment in new healthcare facilities that will see dormitory-style accommodation replaced by modern, welcoming environments with single en-suite rooms. As part of the NHS 75 celebrations, the Trust is pleased to announce the names of these new healthcare facilities following recent voting by patients, carers and staff:
- The new adult acute unit in Chesterfield will be called the Derwent Unit. Its wards will be called the Sycamore, Oak and Willow Wards
- The new adult acute unit at Kingsway Hospital in Derby will be called the Carsington Unit. Its wards will be the Wren, Dove and Robin Wards
- Sitting next to the Carsington Unit will be the new Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit or PICU, which will be called Kingfisher House
- The Blue Ward at Walton Hospital will become Bluebell Ward when it opens for older adult patients with mental health needs
- The new wards at the Radbourne Unit will be called Jasmine Ward and Orchid Ward, once the refurbishments are complete.
Mark Powell, Chief Executive at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It feels appropriate to be announcing the names of our new healthcare facilities today, the 75th birthday of the NHS, marking the start of the next chapter for our patients, colleagues, partners and local people. A big thank you to all those patients, carers and colleagues who suggested the new names and voted for their favourites.
“It’s also important to stop for a moment and reflect on the fantastic achievements of our national health service since its introduction in 1948. The way we support people with mental health conditions in particular has changed and improved beyond measure, enabling so many more people to manage their condition in their local community, surrounded by loved ones, and to live healthy, happy lives.
“It is exciting to look ahead towards new developments, to mark the start of the next chapter for our patients, colleagues, partners and local people so thank you to everyone for all their support for the NHS during its first 75 years.”
To draw the festivities to a close, there will be one last event lined up this weekend with the NHS 75 park run taking place across the country. Details can be found on the NHS England website.
