WHITE Horse Health Centre staff and patients gathered for a special celebration earlier this month to mark the 70th anniversary of the National Health Service.
Speaking on behalf of the Westbury Group Practice, who manage the health centre, finance & services clerk Lewis Johnson said, “To celebrate this milestone our staff wore blue and we hosted a cake decorating competition. We’ve had a fantastic day showing our ongoing support for one of our nation’s most iconic and loved institutions.
“We believe that the most important part of this wonderful organisation are the people who work within it, whether that be delivering care or supporting those who do. They are without doubt the foundation of the NHS and its greatest asset.
“They are a wonderful group of caring people who give so much more than they’re ever thanked for. It is an honour and a privilege for Westbury Group Practice to be part of the NHS.”
At the event, White Horse News spoke to Westbury couple and patients of the health centre, Mac and Pauline McKechine, who were aged 18 and 10 respectively when the NHS first began. “I joined the army as a boy, aged 15,” said Mac, “and stayed with them for 14 years, so if anything went wrong you were well looked after.
“However, I do remember that back in the 1930s, my mother was in a concert party that used to spend all their spare time raising funds for a hospital aid scheme. Loads of people just couldn’t afford to go to hospital, so they were always raising money for hospitals – there were no health centres in that time, just hospitals.
“So people could have gone without the treatment that they needed. The life expectancy back then was 70, ‘three score years and ten’, but people are living much longer now.
“I have nothing but praise for the National Health Service. I’ve had a triple bypass, I’ve got to go for a pacemaker soon, my wife’s had mitral valves, cancer twice, and a pacemaker – so nothing but praise for the NHS!
“This health centre in particular, has been absolutely wonderful – we could live in a lot of other Wiltshire towns that haven’t got a fraction of what we’ve got here in Westbury. It’s a great set-up, we are very fortunate.”
Pauline added, “I worked for the NHS for 40 years at a hospital and a health centre – I had some fantastic times working for the NHS.
“I’ve never been unhappy with it and as a patient I have been very lucky.”
The special event held on Thursday 5th July, also doubled up as a way to mark the long service of three members of staff. Receptionist Lin Francis and results clerk Kirsten Pitcher both celebrated 31 years with the Westbury Group Practice, whilst manager Jane Bartlett, marked 30 years.
You can find out more about the Westbury Group Practice and stay up to date with all their news on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/westburygp
