Celebrating 60 years of the NHS at Southwell Minster

Two women will share stories of their time working for the NHS at its 60th anniversary celebrations at Southwell Minster this Sunday (19th October). A nurse who joined the NHS at its foundation 60 years ago, and a midwife who helps partner Hospitals in Nottingham with a hospital in Ethiopia will help tell the history of the NHS though their eyes.

NHS staff, their friends and families and retired staff will join together for the service of celebration and thanksgiving, when the Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham will be the preacher.

The service will be held on Sunday 19th October, at 3.30pm in celebration of the NHS Diamond Jubilee. During the service, there will be performances by The Pilgrim Gospel Choir as well as the Minster Choir and the Tozer School of Dance who, together, will be performing “Strengthen ye the weak hands”. Quentin Rayner, Chief News Reporter, BBC East Midlands Today, will act as narrator to help tell the marvellous story.

The Revd Paul Bentley, Chaplain of the Mansfield District Primary Care Trust said: “The service is an opportunity to give thanks to God for the service and dedication of all who have served in the NHS over the last 60 years giving hope, strength, comfort and healing to those in need.”

The service will be split into three parts:

The NHS – Looking Back: Clarice Maizel, a women who worked as a nurse and who’s husband worked as a GP at the time of the foundation of the NHS, will talk about her experiences before the NHS and the transition period.

The NHS present: Carol McCormick, a consultant midwife for the NHS will talk about her working life for the NHS and the partnership between Nottingham University Hospitals Trust and Jimma Hospital in Ethiopia.

The NHS – Looking Forward: Chairman of NHS Nottinghamshire County, Tom Fremantle, will talk of his hopes and aspirations for the years to come.

Ends