This month the NHS turns 75. Marilyn Hinks from Powys was born just a couple of weeks after the service started and has grown up with the NHS. She tell us what it's been like to grow up with the NHS.
Can you tell us more about being one of the first NHS babies?
I was born 10 days late on 28th July 1948 at home, in Birmingham
It meant I was able to have all the injections against some awful diseases, such as polio. I saw children at school who had permanent disabilities from polio and, as an adult, can understand the relief my parents felt when the vaccine became available. We had every injection as soon as we could.
I had to go into hospital to have my tonsils removed and for suspected appendicitis, scary but,again, must have been such an amazing thing for parents to have this care there, free of charge.
What do you think the benefits of the NHS are?
So many. We have grown up with the NHS and can’t imagine how different our lives would have been without it. It helps remove the fear of being ill, while receiving world class care. It means that, whatever your financial situation, you are assured of healthcare. Over 75 years, the benefits to us all must be impossible to calculate but each person has a story of how they have been helped and supported.
The research into diseases continues to help cure people who go on to live happy, successful lives. A benefit to the whole of our society.
Why is the NHS important to you?
Like many of my friends I am reaching a time in life where I may need help from the NHS. It is so reassuring to know that health care is available without the worry of having to have health insurance. On an emotional level it means so much , as seen by the support for the NHS during Covid. It truly is something of which we can all be proud, giving care from”the cradle to the grave”.
Do you have any memorable experiences of being supported by the NHS?
I spent several weeks in hospital prior to the birth of our first baby. I remember sitting watching the second moon landing with the staff before going into theatre. Over the weeks the staff had got to know us all and we felt very blessed to be cared for in a brand new hospital. With their care I gave birth to a healthy baby.
I have been fortunate to have only had emergency treatment once. The staff were ready for me when I arrived and immediately started to treat me, avoiding my becoming seriously ill. So grateful.
My beautiful great grandson was critically ill when he was a toddler. The care and support given to him and the family was truly awe inspiring. We now have a happy, fit and active 6 years old thanks to the NHS.
Are there any aspects of the NHS that you feel are invaluable?
What makes the NHS so special is the availability of care. No one asks for your credit card when you arrive at A&E.
The level of care given to those who need help is second to none and,despite the present issues, the trust that we have in this remarkable service is based on years of own experiences and those of others. The NHS has changed the health of the country and saved an unknown number from pain and permanent disability.
What challenges do you think face the NHS at the moment?
Undoubtedly, the NHS has many challenges, partly because,as a result of the wonderful care we receive, we have an ageing population that will continue to grow. We have come to expect a high level of care and expectations may have to become more realistic.
The numbers of trained staff will need to be addressed along with the stress levels they experience.
Finance,as always, is an issue and we may have to accept that better care has to be paid for by us all.
Can you imagine what life would be like without the NHS?
Like many countries we would probably have an insurance system, providing excellent services to those who can afford it. This would lead to inequality of healthcare and mean poor care for those who could not afford to pay. Without the last 75 years of the NHS more people would be living with much poorer health, leading to a much less secure way of life. We have come to expect that every child is protected from life-threatening diseases and that help is available when needed. The NHS has enriched all our lives and without it we would be a much poorer country both financially and economically.
If you could wave a magic wand what would you give to the NHS?
So much. More money to improve services and shorten waiting lists. Also, money to develop more preventative care so we can all try to stay healthy and not need to use the health service so much.
I would give the respect and thanks it received during covid as a permanent way of thinking about this amazing service.
I would encourage development of research to prevent and treat illnesses that are not curable at the moment.
I would give the NHS a great big “Thank you” for being there all my life, caring for us all including my family and friends and say,”Please keep doing what you do best, caring for us all”.
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