This year marks 75 amazing years of the National Health Service – and people across South West London are being encouraged to celebrate what the NHS means to them.
On 5 July 2023, NHS South West London will join organisations across the nation to celebrate 75 years of the NHS – and people across the county can be a part of milestone moment.
Since the NHS was founded on 5 July 1948, it has always innovated and adapted to meet to needs of each generation 75 years on, the NHS’s founding principles remain as relevant today as they were then.
How will you celebrate?
People are invited to organise a get together as part of the NHS Big Tea Party, sharing their events and photos on social media using the hashtag #NHS75.
There is also the opportunity to join the 5k parkrun for the NHS on Saturday 8 July or 2k junior parkrun on Sunday 9 July – with the option to dress up for the occasion! Find your nearest parkrun here.
The George Cross medal, awarded to the NHS in England last year by the late Queen, will be on display at the iconic Science Museum from Thursday 6 July. The medal is being displayed as a temporary addition to Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries, the world’s largest museum devoted to the history of medical healthcare.
Local events
South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust are bringing back their Making Life Better Together summer parties, with one party at Springfield Village and one at Tolworth Hospital.
This year’s parties will mark the launch of Springfield Village as well as the 75th birthday of the NHS. The parties are a great chance to say thank you to each other and celebrate alongside our patients, their carers, and our local communities.
Springfield Street Party – 1 to 4pm, Wednesday 5 July 2023
This year’s Springfield event will be held on Wednesday 5 July 2023 in the new Chapel Square. The event will feature food from around the world, information stalls from different services at the Trust, music, and free activities.
Register for the Springfield Street partyPlease note that parking will be limited and there will be some road closures on the site. Please check out the website for more information and consider travelling on public transport if you can.
Tolworth Street Party – 12 to 3pm, Wednesday 12 July 2023
This year’s Tolworth Hospital event will be held on Wednesday 12 July 2023 outside the canteen. The event will feature food from around the world, information stalls from different services at the Trust, music, and free activities.
What’s going on at the event?
- Face painting
- Drums
- Activities
- Marketplace
- Art exhibition of carer-created pieces
- Musical playlist curated by our patients
Staff stories
Everyone in the NHS has their own story – of how they joined the NHS, their first role, the changes they have seen, and how they got to the role they are doing now.
Staff from across South West London have told us what the NHS means to them and their hopes for the future as we celebrate 75 years of the NHS.