Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Britain celebrates 75th anniversary of National Health Service

Last week, the NHS presented a new long-term workforce plan, outlining its strategy to ensure the sustainability of the service in the years to come

Britain celebrates 75th anniversary of National Health Service

Britain celebrates 75 years of its National Health Service (NHS) on Wednesday (05), with royals, politicians, staff, and patients who all express pride in its past and a firm determination that it will endure in the future, despite the challenges it currently faces.

Launched on July 5, 1948, by a Labour government in the aftermath of the Second World War, the NHS was established with the aim to ensure "everybody, irrespective of means, age, sex or occupation shall have equal opportunity to benefit from the best and most up-to-date medical and allied services available."


A former minister once made a remark acknowledging that the NHS is considered by many as the closest thing the English have to a religion, highlighting the widespread affection for the service and its dedicated workforce.

"For 75 years, the NHS has existed for an enduring moral purpose: To give every single person in our country the security that comes from knowing that if you're sick, you will be cared for," prime minister Rishi Sunak said in a speech last week.

But in recent years, the NHS has found itself needing emergency care, struggling to keep up with patient demands, an increasingly elderly and sickly population, and the cost of new medicines and treatments.

The Covid-19 pandemic added another layer of strain onto an already creaking system, and the commemorations come after a winter of crisis followed by strikes over pay by junior doctors, nurses and healthcare workers.

While some workers have now accepted pay offers, senior doctors have also recently voted for walkouts.

A comfort blanket

Sunak has expressed his objective of reducing waiting lists, emphasising his commitment to this goal.

Last week, the NHS presented a new long-term workforce plan, outlining its strategy to ensure the sustainability of the service in the years to come.

On Wednesday, a gathering of political and health leaders will take place at Westminster Abbey to commemorate the occasion.

In Scotland, King Charles has also marked the event. Additionally, Prince William hosted a tea party for NHS staff and patients.

"Wishing everyone a very happy 75th birthday of the NHS," William said, and his wife Kate added: "thank you so much for all you do."

Among those invited was Aneira Thomas, who was the first baby born on the NHS and was named after its founder, health minister Aneurin Bevan. She was born at a minute past midnight on July 5, 1948.

"It was a turning point in history for the health of Great Britain," she said, adding that the NHS had saved the life of both of her children after brain haemorrhages.

"After the horrors of the war, Great Britain was broken. So, to have a National Health Service come into fruition, was like throwing a comfort blanket around the people of Great Britain."

(Reuters)

More For You

Nepal’s new leader pledges to act on Gen Z calls to end corruption

Officials greet newly-elected Prime Minister of Nepal's interim government Sushila Karki (R) as she arrives at the prime minister's office in Kathmandu on September 14, 2025. (Photo by PRABIN RANABHAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Nepal’s new leader pledges to act on Gen Z calls to end corruption

NEPAL’s new interim prime minister Sushila Karki on Sunday (14) pledged to act on protesters’ calls to end corruption and restore trust in government, as the country struggles with the aftermath of its worst political unrest in decades.

“We have to work according to the thinking of the Gen Z generation,” Karki said in her first address to the nation since taking office on Friday (12). “What this group is demanding is the end of corruption, good governance and economic equality. We will not stay here more than six months in any situation. We will complete our responsibilities and hand over to the next parliament and ministers.”

Keep ReadingShow less
UK secures £1.25bn US investment ahead of Trump’s visit

US president Donald Trump and UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer arrive at Trump International Golf Links on July 28, 2025 in Balmedie, Scotland. (Photo by Jane Barlow-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

UK secures £1.25bn US investment ahead of Trump’s visit

THE British government has announced over £1.25 billion ($1.69bn) in fresh investment from major US financial firms, including PayPal, Bank of America, Citigroup and S&P Global, ahead of a state visit by president Donald Trump.

The investment is expected to create 1,800 jobs across London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Manchester, and deepen transatlantic financial ties, the Department for Business and Trade said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Nearly 150,000 join anti-migrant protest in London as clashes erupt

Protesters wave Union Jack and St George's England flags during the "Unite The Kingdom" rally on Westminster Bridge by the Houses of Parliament on September 13, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Nearly 150,000 join anti-migrant protest in London as clashes erupt

MORE THAN 100,000 protesters marched through central London on Saturday (13), carrying flags of England and Britain and scuffling with police in one of the UK's biggest right-wing demonstrations of modern times.

London's Metropolitan Police said the "Unite the Kingdom" march, organised by anti-immigrant activist Tommy Robinson, was attended by nearly 150,000 people, who were kept apart from a "Stand Up to Racism" counter-protest attended by around 5,000.

Keep ReadingShow less
Piyush Goyal

Piyush Goyal recalled that in February, Narendra Modi and Donald Trump had instructed their trade ministers to conclude the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by November 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Trade talks with US moving forward positively, says Indian minister Goyal

INDIA’s commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said that negotiations on the proposed trade agreement between India and the United States, which began in March, are progressing in a positive atmosphere and both sides are satisfied with the discussions.

He recalled that in February, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and US president Donald Trump had instructed their trade ministers to conclude the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by November 2025.

Keep ReadingShow less
West Midlands Police

West Midlands Police said they were called just before 08:30 BST on Tuesday, September 9, after the woman reported being attacked by two men near Tame Road. (Representational image: iStock)

Woman raped in racially aggravated attack in Oldbury

A WOMAN in her 20s was raped in Oldbury in what police are treating as a racially aggravated attack.

West Midlands Police said they were called just before 08:30 BST on Tuesday, September 9, after the woman reported being attacked by two men near Tame Road. Officers said the men made a racist remark during the incident.

Keep ReadingShow less