A service of celebration to mark the 70^th anniversary of the NHS is to be held at Hereford Cathedral on the evening of Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 7.30pm. 

The event is open to anyone who has had a connection to the NHS – whether a current or past member of staff (or their families), patients and visitors.

It will be a time to not only look back over the achievements of the NHS since its formation in 1948, but to also celebrate the diverse range of staff in the NHS today who work tirelessly to provide the best quality of care they can to those in need. 

In Herefordshire alone the NHS employs around 4,000 plus staff. 

To strike the right chord with the congregation, four choirs will be taking part in the service which will be led by the Dean of Hereford Cathedral, the Very Rev Michael Tavinor. 

The choirs taking part are Hereford Cathedral Junior School chamber choir, a local NHS choir, the Marches Military Wives choir and the choir of the Holy Trinity Church, Hereford. 

“We have all been touched by the NHS at some point in our lives” said Dr Ian Tait, CCG Herefordshire Chair and Clinical Lead. “Now, at its 70^th birthday, we feel it would be good to take a few minutes to celebrate what it has achieved and the difference it has made in our lives, to our families and with our communities,” added Dr Tait. 

Healthcare was very different 70 years ago and plans are in the pipeline to recall some of the medical practices adopted in the last century and bring them alive during the service with uniforms from yesteryear.

“The service is open to anyone and people are welcome to come in uniform. There’s no need book a seat, simply turn up and join in the celebration,” added Dr Tait.

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Note to Editors:

For further information please contact:

Wye valley NHS Trust communications team 01432 372928 or 01432 355444 x5105.

Midlands and Lancashire CSU media team 0333 1501602