NHS's 75th anniversary: Rotherham health trust's vibrant celebrations

Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust turned wards, clinics and offices blue as staff took part in ‘Wear it Blue’ to raise funds for Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity, while patients got to join in the fun at fabulous tea parties.

Teams got in the spirit with bunting, flags and even some vintage uniforms on display.

Five employees headed to Westminster Abbey, along with the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, to take part in a special service hosted by NHS England as a thank you for their contributions.

Among the guests was deputy medical director Susan Douglas who said the service was a “wonderful testament to the great legacy of the NHS”.

The trust's graphic designer, John Slater, was shortlisted in the “Our NHS at 75” photo competition, run in partnership with Fujifilm.

His photo captured a district nurse delivering care in a patient’s home during the Covid-19 pandemic and will be displayed alongside others in an exhibition at Fujifilm House of Photography in Covent Garden in London and open to public viewing.

John said: “The NHS75 photo competition was an excellent opportunity to showcase some of the amazing work our staff and volunteers do around the trust.”

Closer to home, the trust's deputy chief executive, Michael Wright, buried a time capsule in the Wellbeing Garden in the grounds of Rotherham Hospital to be opened in 2098 – 75 years from now.

The capsule is a snapshot of life in the NHS in 2023 and includes memorabilia such as photos, uniforms, letters and testimonials, as well as a prediction of what the NHS may look like in its 150th year.

Trust chief executive Dr Richard Jenkins, said: “I’m proud of the progress we have made and the incredibly dedicated colleagues, some of whom can even remember the opening of the hospital.

“Looking to the future, it’s important that we continue to work hard for the people of Rotherham and take more steps on our journey towards becoming an ‘outstanding’ trust.”