NHS Western Isles birthday party invite 30/6/08
NHS Western Isles wants people who shares its birthday to celebrate with them on their 60th anniversary.
The National Health Service was established on July 5th 1948 and tthose with the same birth date are invited to join in the local celebration events planned. Events are already underway but there are significant exhibitions and a Charity Ball planned, so do get in touch.
It is also keen to hear from those who remember life before the NHS, so that we can share memories through a special local NHS 60 Website under development.
It would like to hear from former workers about life on the ward or in the clinics and surgeries, and how it differed from today as well as to receive any information or photos for use on its website and NHS 60 publications.
NHS Western Isles Chair John Angus Mackay stated: “Healthcare has changed immeasurably over the years and it’s continuing to change, evolve and improve.
“In 1948, a cataract operation meant a week of total immobility with the patient’s head supported by sandbags. Eye surgery is now over within 20 minutes, and most patients are out of hospital the same day. In 1958, hip replacements were so unusual that the surgeon who invented them asked patients to agree to return them post-mortem.
“The NHS now carries out 1,000 of these replacements every week. The first UK heart transplant patient in 1968 only survived 46 days.
“The procedure is now routine enough for two dozen to be carried out in the same period. The world waited until 1978 for Britain to produce the first test-tube baby.
“6,000 test-tube babies are now born in Britain annually. The breast-screening programme introduced in 1988 now saves the lives of 1,400 women a year.
“Finally, the introduction of NHS Direct in 1998 launched a pioneering alternative to GP services that currently handles more than 500,000 calls a month.”
If you were born on 5th July 1948, or if you would like to share any stories, memories or photographs contact Maggie Fraser, Communications Manager, NHS Western Isles, 37 South Beach, Stornoway, HS1 2BB, 01851708060, or maggie.fraser@wihb.scot.nhs.uk
