As I see it – the latest blog from Sue Symington

As the NHS closes in on its 75-year anniversary, I want to take this opportunity to recognise and celebrate colleagues who have given the best part of their working lives to the NHS, not least our own chief executive, Stephen Eames.

This month Stephen reached the landmark of 50 years in the NHS. It’s some achievement.

Stephen is a well-known and hugely respected leader in the NHS; we’re fortunate to have him in Humber and North Yorkshire. He’s a great colleague and his drive to improve health outcomes and improve people’s life chances is inspiring.

While I see first-hand Stephen’s dedication to the NHS, I know he’s far from alone. There are hundreds of other people in our hospitals, working in the community or in back-office roles who may be celebrating their own personal milestones in the NHS this year.

And I want to say this: ‘thank you’. Our workforce is the backbone of our NHS and one of the reasons why it’s celebrated around the world. You are its beating heart, its lifeblood, its soul, its moral compass. You have a work ethic that’s second-to-none and a compassion that knows no bounds.

Irrespective of role and status, you make a difference to the lives of patients every day. And on 5 July, when the NHS marks 75 years of service to the nation, I hope you will find time to pause and reflect on your own contribution to this wonderful organisation we are all part of.

If you are just beginning your career in the NHS, like Stephen was in 1973 when he was a trainee at Batley and District General Hospital, I hope you have many more happy years ahead of you in the NHS, and you’re still making a difference when the NHS turns 100.