‘Happy birthday to the NHS – and here’s how you can join the party’ says Lincolnshire health boss

The NHS’s 75th birthday is the topic of a column by John Turner, chief executive officer of NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board. He writes:

Wednesday, July 5 marks 75 years of the NHS and everyone is invited to join the party by taking part in one of the many celebrations taking place throughout the county.

There is everything from NHS Big Tea parties, to parkruns and other fundraising events. We have already had a NHS 75 Ball, a birthday card competition for schoolchildren in Lincolnshire and lots more.

You can host your own NHS Big Tea and raise funds with a brew, or please accept this as an invitation to pop down to Lincoln City Football Club on Saturday, July 8 from 11am–2pm in the Centre Spot Bar. The United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity would love to serve you a cuppa as you get a mini health MOT from the wellbeing team and also enjoy lots of fun activities for all ages.

You can also take part in one of the special ‘parkrun for the NHS’ events. They provide the perfect opportunity to not only acknowledge the huge contribution that the NHS makes to the health of the nation, but also to celebrate the staff and volunteers who have made the NHS what it is.

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Lincolnshire parkruns will be held on Saturday, July 8. You can sign up for the run at Witham Way Country Park, Boston, or Yarborough Leisure Centre, Lincoln, both will start at 9am. We’re also asking everyone who takes part to wear blue for the NHS.

Parkruns are friendly community events organised by volunteers and are open to any runners and walkers. The events are free but please register before the event online www.parkrun.org.uk

I am very proud to say that I work for the NHS. I believe that it represents the very best of our society and is recognised around the world. Each and every one of us has something to be thankful to the NHS for. It unites us all.

It might be the birth of a child, lifesaving treatment or that reassuring smile during an appointment that makes all the difference. Thousands of people across the county are employed by our NHS. They work in our hospitals, in our GP surgeries, in our communities, visit patients in their homes or provide emergency care and transport. Wherever you need us, the NHS will be there.

Our colleagues go above and beyond every day for our patients and to support each other. We would like to thank everyone for the support shown to us, not only during our 75th year, but during recent challenges and throughout our history.

Happy birthday to the NHS!