To mark 70 years of the NHS more than 250 balloons will be inflated during a party for visitors, patients and staff in the main concourse of Cambridge University Hospitals.
The event, which takes place between 11am and 3pm today, has been made possible thanks to Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) and will include free cake, an opportunity for children to get their faces painted and entertainment from the hospital choir Campus Sound.
Staff and the public can pledge a “gift” to the NHS - such as donating blood - becoming an organ donor, or learning how to be a governor. Members of ACT will have their own dedicated stand where visitors can learn more about how to support their local hospitals, from events to donating.
There will be the chance to review 70 years of Cambridge University Hospitals via seven dedicated information panels, which will be opposite the museum area in the main corridor between Addenbrooke’s and The Rosie Hospital.
Later in the day, around 80 hospital volunteers, who help with everything from giving directions to running hospital radio, will tuck into a cream tea thanks to the Amigo convenience stores in the hospital.
The day will have special significance for hospital ‘Made a Difference’ award winners Jayne Shook and Hannah Collins, since they have been selected to join Chief Executive Officer Roland Sinker at national celebrations in Westminster Abbey. Jayne manages the supply of critical medicines to theatres and Hannah is a clinical nurse specialist.
On Wednesday 11 July, the public is invited to a free lecture from 6.30pm to 7.30pm at the William Harvey Lecture Theatre at the School of Clinical Medicine, which is diagonally opposite the entrance to Addenbrooke’s and a short walk from car park one.
It will be presented by consultant in paediatric respiratory medicine Dr Robert Ross Russell who will discuss ‘70 years of children’s healthcare in the NHS: How far have we come’.
It has been organised in conjunction with ACTIVE, which is the Trust’s young people and children’s board and will help celebrate work ensuring the hospitals provide the best experience for young patients.
Dr Rob Russell, who is also Director of Studies in Medicine, Peterhouse, said: ““Healthcare has changed beyond all recognition in the 70 years since the NHS was founded. There are few areas where the change has been more dramatic than for children.”
The 70th birthday party celebrations and lecture follow the Trust’s recruitment day on Saturday (23 June) which also marked the 70th anniversary. It gave the public the chance to learn more about becoming a nurse or support worker.
Anyone who would like to attend the lecture should telephone 01223 256256 or email foundation.trust@addenbrookes.nhs.uk. For information about working for the Trust visit https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/working-for-us.
