Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

The NHS is celebrating its 75th anniversary today, July 5 2023. 

The National Health Service was established in 1948 after Tredegar-born MP Aneurin Bevan proposed the idea.

Now, politicians have commented on the health service to mark the special occasion. 

Wales’ minister for health and social services, Eluned Morgan, praised the work and dedication of NHS Wales staff. 

Ms Morgan said: “I’m certain that if Aneurin Bevan was here today he would be proud of the service he founded here in Wales and how it has developed over the last 75 years.

“Our health needs, medicines, treatments and technologies now are very different from those of 1948, but one thing has not changed – the dedication of the staff who are the bedrock on which the NHS was founded.

“These people are the beating heart of this cherished institution. The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted just how extraordinary they really are.

“So on this special occasion, I would like to personally thank them for their skill, dedication, courage and compassion – not just during the pandemic, but day in and day out.”

Plaid Cymru spokesperson for health and social care, Mabon ap Gwynfor MS, said: “Plaid Cymru is immensely proud of our NHS and the dedicated frontline staff who have provided invaluable service and care for the past 75 years. They are the backbone of our healthcare system – without them, there is no NHS.”

Welsh Conservative shadow health minister, Russell George MS, said: “What better opportunity than on the 75^th birthday of the NHS is there to thank and celebrate the hardworking staff and volunteers that have supported our health service, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I want to see our NHS not only survive but strengthened for a further 75 years and it must remain always free at point of need.”

“We cannot afford to continue as we are”

There were also calls to improve the service on the momentous anniversary. 

Russell George MS said that there were “issues within our Welsh NHS”. 

Mr George added that these include ambulance arrival times, cancer treatment times and patients waiting for two years or more for treatment. 

Mr George continued: “As Welsh Conservatives, we would like to see our Welsh NHS survive for another 75 years with the guiding principle of healthcare being free at the point of need still at its heart, but Labour need to address these fundamental issues in Wales or the BMA’s (British Medical Association) warning of NHS collapse will come true.

“We want to work with the minister to deliver a Welsh NHS that the people deserve.”

Plaid Cymru warned that there will be no NHS in 75 years without “urgent and drastic action”. 

The party outlined their own five-point plan to “help tackle the crisis in the NHS in Wales”.

Mr ap Gwynfor said: “Waiting times are at record levels. Health boards are stuck in special measures. Staff and patients are at breaking point. Our NHS won’t survive another 75 years without urgent and drastic action.

“Plaid Cymru has a vision for a better NHS.

“We would prioritise providing a fair pay deal for NHS workers and implement a workforce plan to recruit and retain more doctors and nurses by making our NHS an attractive place to work.”

Other measures would include prioritising preventative health measures and restoring trust with patients through different management. 

Health minister Eluned Morgan also spoke of the challenges currently faced by the NHS and said: “Today the NHS faces unprecedented demand for its services. We cannot afford to continue as we are.

“I firmly believe that we are all willing to fight to transform our health and care services into the sustainable system we need and want for the future, focused on early intervention and prevention.

“Everyone will need to play their part in order to help us deliver on this vision so that those who most need our services can access what they need, close to their homes when they need it.”

What did Caerphilly borough politicians say?

Plaid Cymru Senedd Member for South Wales East, Peredur Owen Griffiths, spoke during First Minister’s Questions on July 4 and said: “It is arguably the greatest gift that Wales, or, to be more precise, Blaenau Gwent, has given to the UK.

“But if it is to last another 75 years, we must be on our guard; on our guard against those who prefer to see the service in private hands on ideological grounds.

“We must ensure that staff are not demoralised or overworked, and are given fair terms and conditions.”

Welsh Labour MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, Gerald Jones commented on social media and praised NHS workers. Mr Jones said: “I cannot praise the work you do enough to care for us in our time of sorrow, joy and need. You are the heroes that make us proud of what we can achieve together.”

Dawn Bowden, Welsh Labour MS for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney said on Twitter: “Happy Birthday NHS. Penblwydd Hapus GIG.

“Thank you for being there every hour of every day for the past 75 years.”

On Twitter, Natasha Ashgar, Conservative regional member of the Senedd for South East Wales wrote: “Happy 75th birthday to our wonderful NHS.

“I’d like to thank every healthcare worker for their dedication and superb work. The NHS would be nothing without its amazing staff.”

Rhianon Passmore MS, Welsh Labour MS for Islwyn also marked the occasion on Twitter and said: “On behalf of the communities of Islwyn I want to say thank you to the National Health Service that celebrates its 75th anniversary today. The vision of Labour’s Aneurin Bevan and the post-war Labour Government of Clement Attlee was remarkable.”