TO ALL OUR HEALTH AND CARE STAFF, I WANT TO THANK YOU
This evening, a nationwide round of applause is set to take place to mark the 72nd anniversary of the NHS. Here, Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford pays his own tribute
ON this day, 72 years ago, our trusted, much relied-on and muchloved National Health Service was born. It was very much born from the devastation of the Second World War and the post-war spirit to rebuild a better nation but also from the collective social and health insurance systems pioneered in the South Wales Valleys coal mining communities, home to its lead architect and advocate.
The NHS was shaped and moulded by Aneurin Bevan, Health Minister in Clement Attlee’s newly-appointed post-war Labour government, whose “great and novel undertaking” was to “Tredegar-ise” post-war Britain.
His core principles for the NHS, which are still so evident in the NHS of 21st century Wales today, were threefold – it must meet the needs of everyone; be free at the point of delivery; and be based on clinical need, not ability to pay.
At the time, Bevan, the son of a coal miner from the South Wales valleys, poignantly said, “It will relieve your money worries in times of illness.”
Now in its 72nd year, the NHS shoulders the burden of the most challenging event of our lifetimes: the coronavirus crisis.
We could not have responded to the pandemic without the dedicated staff who make our NHS – or indeed without the tens of thousands more in our social care services. Our health service is built on the commitment and compassion of the skilled staff and volunteers who work around the clock to give the best possible dignified care in often difficult and demanding circumstances.
From mid-March, NHS services were re-focused in Wales to respond to the pandemic – services were redesigned; hospitals rearranged and 19 field hospitals built from scratch within weeks; medical students recruited; retired nurses and doctors reinstated.
Our health and care staff have given a tremendous effort over the course of the last few months, working through physical and mental exhaustion to care for others.
There are so many examples of healthcare professionals making tough decisions to move out of their homes to make sure they were able to carry on caring; of working long hours on coronavirus wards; of holding the hands of people as they took their last breaths, because their family weren’t able to be with them.
For the many thousands of people who have recovered from coronavirus, they have done so with the support of a small army of NHS staff – of doctors and nurses and physios and radiologists.
Everyone in Wales has made a real difference over the last few months – you have supported our health and care services; you have protected the NHS by following the rules and your actions have helped to save lives.
I know the last few months have been difficult but by working together we have helped to slow the spread of coronavirus in Wales.
We have been able to lift restrictions and we are moving firmly into the amber phase. But we are not out of the woods yet – coronavirus has not gone away.
We will continue to take a cautious and careful approach towards easing the restrictions, guided by the science and the latest medical advice; always with the health and well-being of the people of Wales at the forefront of our decisions.
In Wales, community spirit runs deep. I have been moved by the displays of solidarity and kindness and examples of neighbours working together to keep people safe.
Thank you for your sacrifices and patience.
Please continue to take care of yourselves and others.
To all of our health and care staff, I want to thank you. Every day, I am amazed by your work and resilience.