Colleagues attend ‘inspiring’ NHS 75 service at Westminster Abbey

Nine colleagues from NHS Kent and Medway joined other NHS staff, senior government and political leaders, health leaders and celebrities at a service at Westminster Abbey to celebrate the NHS 75th birthday today (Wednesday, 5 July). 

More than 35 colleagues from trusts across Kent and Medway attended the service.

Digital Transformation Manager Andy Gove (pictured) from Folkestone, Hythe and Rural Primary Care Network was nominated to attend for his work to increase the PCN’s appointment capacity using a new online clinical system. This has resulted in 2,500 extra appointments each month. Find out more in this film.

He said: “Today’s service was moving, thought-provoking and inspiring. I’m so grateful to have been invited to attend the NHS 75 service at Westminster Abbey as a representative of primary care in Kent and Medway. 

“It’s been great to see so many dedicated NHS employees from across the country come together to celebrate the birthday of such an incredible organisation, the Abbey was full. I had some great conversations, met lots of new people and was able to reflect on just what it is all NHS employees work so hard for. It’s a day I'll remember for a very long time.” 

Dr Claire Cochrane-Dyet, Clinical Director Malling Primary Care Network, was nominated to attend for her leadership of the Malling PCN vaccination programme. 
The Malling PCN team has delivered 230,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine since December 2020. 

Claire (pictured) was also instrumental in sourcing a decommissioned ambulance which was adapted to become a mobile primary care clinical unit. The bus has helped the PCN reach more people within the area and offers health interventions such as health checks, as well as the Covid-19 vaccine. 

She said: "It was an enjoyable service that made me feel proud to be part of such a fantastic single team that is the NHS and reminded me of the privilege of being so close to so many people’s lives." 

Other guests from NHS Kent and Medway were: Commissioning Project Manager Christopher Hird, Senior Nurse Assessor Cathy Cackett, Senior Pharmacy Technician Susan Harris, Senior Project Support Officer Sue Crick, Primary Care Work Force Lead Ann Humphreys, Practice Manager Kayleigh McCutcheon and Patient Engagement Lead Kate Baker.

NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard addressed the congregation and was joined by May Parsons, an associate chief nurse who delivered the world’s first vaccine outside of a clinical trial in December 2020, 17-year-old Kyle Dean-Curtis, St John Ambulance cadet of the year,  and 91-year-old Enid Richmond, who was one of the first people to work in the NHS as a junior clerical worker. 

Prayers were read by health and social care secretary Steve Barclay, chief nurse Dame Ruth May, NHS national medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis, chief allied health professions officer Prof Suzanne Rastick OBE, and Richard Webb-Stevens, a paramedic who was first on the scene of the Westminster Bridge terror attack and who holds the Queen’s Ambulance Medal for Distinguished Service. 

Testimonies were given by Dame Elizabeth Anionwu OM, the UK’s first sickle cell nurse, academic, and author, Ellie Orton, Chief Executive, NHS Charities Together and Dr Martin English and Dr Michael Griksaitis, NHS consultants who jointly led a team who extracted 21 Ukrainian children with cancer over to the UK from Poland in March 2022, following the Russian invasion.