“Amazing experience” at Westminster Abbey NHS75 service
An “amazing experience” is how attending the special NHS75 service at Westminster Abbey has been described by Northamptonshire healthcare staff.
On Wednesday – the day of the NHS 75th birthday – a number of staff from Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) attended the high-profile service in London.
NHFT colleagues Hollie Smith, Carlie Oakenfull, Joanne Webster, Holly Roach and Louisa Russell all attended the occasion describing it as an “amazing experience”.
Colleagues from the NHFT were given the chance to request and be selected to attend the 75th Birthday of the NHS, at Westminster Abbey, attended by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Amanda Pritchard (Chief Executive Officer, NHS England), Rishi Sunak MP (Prime Minister), Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP (Leader of His Majesty’s Most Loyal Opposition), Steve Barclay (Secretary of State for Health and Social Care), Dame Ruth May (Chief Nursing Officer), Professor Sir Stephen Powis (National Medical Director, NHS England), Professor Suzanne Rastrick (Chief Allied Health 
Professions Officer for England), Richard Webb-Stevens (Holder of the Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal for distinguished service), Professor Chris Whitty (Chief Medical Officer for England, the UK government’s Chief Medical Adviser and head of the public health profession) and various faith representatives.
At the start of the service, the George Cross – which was awarded to the NHS in 2022 – was processed to the High Altar by May Parsons, the nurse who administered the world's first Covid-19 vaccine.
Hollie Smith said: “What an amazing experience, to see so many people from different sectors of the NHS share their journey and stories was very inspirational and humbling. It was lovely to see a variety of job roles attend and was a privilege to be nominated to attend.”
Louisa Russell said: “It was an amazing day. I felt honoured to have been invited and am grateful for 
the opportunity to be part of such a special occasion. It was a very moving service in the Abbey, hearing powerful stories and testimonies from a range of people. It was lovely that there were politicians, celebrities and royalty sharing the occasion with 1500 staff and volunteers from so many areas of the NHS. Whilst everyone recognised the pressure and challenges for the NHS today, it was wonderful to look back at all the fantastic achievements and successes throughout the last 75 years. I felt proud to be a part of it.”
Carlie Oakenfull said: “The atmosphere was so upbeat and yet sombre, while recognising the enormous contribution the NHS has made over that time and our own personal role within that. It was a very humbling experience.”
Amanda Pritchard, Chief executive Officer, NHS England said at the service: “The NHS remains the institution that makes our nation most proud to be British – the cornerstone of national life and our shared identity. Thank you for joining us in this opportunity to celebrate and thank our incredible people, reflect on our past, and look ahead to our shared future.”