Happy Birthday NHS!

[Polywotsit]

On the 70th birthday of the National Health Service, I have spent the morning at New Cross Hospital with my 91 year old father and the deeply compassionate staff of the urology department. Happy Birthday NHS. You have looked after me all my life, and I am so glad you are there.

[Hidden]

“The NHS will last as long as there's folk with faith left to fight for it.” ~ Aneurin Bevan

[Telian]

...and long may it continue...

[Telian]

Hi Kate, I'm going to take an opportunity here as have had no reply to my query re booking for the AGM in London in September. (1) If I choose to pay at the door do I have to register with the company taking bookings and (2) if I don't book ahead is there a risk I might not get in. Many thanks. Terri

[Polywotsit PMRGCAuk team member in reply to Telian]

Hi Telian - sorry you haven't had a reply. To go to the AGM and members' day you need to be a member of PMRGCAuk. pmrgca.co.uk/content/join-us

We need people to book ahead because it's not a very big venue, but there is no charge to attend. Best wishes, Kate

[Telian in reply to Polywotsit]

Hi Kate, not to worry, the reply I was waiting for was from the organisers, but you've answered my query which was around availability if I waited and paid on the door. Out of interest, as a member choosing to pay on the door, how would they know I was, on the day I mean - take my word for it?

It is free to enter, but you can't book without paying the £15 for buffet and refreshments, which I don't mind as you'd spend that anyway and it's laid on for you so a win win I think.

I am a member and I have booked, you can cancel up to 7 days prior and that was my concern planning so far ahead as I care for my husband. So all okay now and thank you for getting back to me. Best wishes, Terri.

[Polywotsit PMRGCAuk team member in reply to Telian]

Oh great, I'm glad to hear that. At one time the cost of the lunch, as well as the cost of the venue, was covered by the charity, but as the day got bigger and bigger this became more and more of a major expense and it's not what people are paying their membership subs for! When I started the members day we offered a free lunch because we didn't know whether anyone would turn up otherwise! Some chance of that!

[Telian in reply to Polywotsit]

Thanks Kate, I agree re the membership fees, you need every penny to keep the charity going and I, and others I'm sure, wouldn't expect refreshments for free, well perhaps water.... plus knowing there's food to come it should stop the crisp and sweet bag rattling during the proceedings!

[Slowdown]

Yes, a very Happy Birthday and many more to come - here's a link to some old film - courtesy of Ch. 4. Six minutes long youtube.com/watch?v=uWntMdu...(Not working as expected?)

[5lupins]

Hi Kate,. I am also very grateful for the NHS. John has lymphoma and this year has had bile duct Sepsis three times. The A&E and HDU teams were just amazing as they fought for his life. Still in hospital but full of hope. Everyone is looking after him for us. I wish I could hug them all. Jen

[Rugger]

I am just 6 weeks older than the NHS! My Dad used to say that although he had to pay for me being born, I was worth it!

I worked in the NHS for nearly 40 years. Now, I'm benefitting from the care I get from it.

[Telian in reply to Rugger]

I was born 4 weeks after the NHS was, so I was a freebie! I also worked for the establishment for 23 years and enjoyed every minute.

[yogabonnie]

Very Happy Birthday NHS. May we someday follow your example and help everyone!