NHS’s 75th Birthday – An invitation to have your say

On Wednesday 5 July 2023, the NHS will turn 75 years old. This significant milestone is an opportunity to celebrate, reflect on the past, and look ahead to the future.

It remains one of our most precious national assets and is the institution that the public have said makes them most proud to be British; built on the effort, skill, and commitment of its staff, the support of its patients and service users, and strong relationships with the communities it serves.

Although the NHS’s founding principles have remained constant since its inception in 1948, the treatments it provides, the tests it can perform, and its preventative care services (including screening and vaccinations) have undergone significant changes. As we reflect on the progress made over the past 75 years, and how far we have come, it is essential to consider what the future holds, and this is where you can help.

The NHS Assembly are seeking ideas on three questions:

1. Where has the NHS come from?
2. Where is the NHS now?
3. How does the NHS best serve us into the future?

Using this feedback, they will build upon themes and ideas that have formed the recent discussions in the NHS Assembly:

• Prevention: allowing people to live longer, healthier lives
• Personalisation: giving people power to control their own health
• People: caring for those who care for us
• Primary and community care: building on the foundation of primary/community care, and improve outcomes
• Partnerships: creating teams without walls, and empowering communities.

To provide a framework for effective conversations, the NHS Assembly has published a conversation guide and online feedback form. These documents will provide the framework to discuss the above questions in a meaningful way.

The NHS@75 engagement will run until Friday 26 May 2023. They are asking for feedback on the questions in the conversation guide as soon as you are able, with a final deadline of 23.59 on Friday 26 May. You can find more information, including the link to the online feedback form, on the NHS Assembly webpage.