Happy birthday NHS

July 5, 2008, marks the 60th anniversary of the NHS. Chief Executive for Hull Teaching Primary Care Trust, Christopher Long, encourages Hull residents to consider their health now and in the future

1964 - Even while still under construction, Hull's newest landmark, the Hull Royal Infirmary, towers above Lansdowne Street. Inset – Christopher Long, Chief Executive of Hull Teaching Primary Care Trust

"From the moment of birth and throughout their lives, Hull residents benefit from the NHS.
Whether it's a visit to your local GP or to have specialist treatment at Hull Royal Infirmary, the NHS has been there for generations of local people.
Marking 60 years is an opportunity to take stock and review how far the service has come and look ahead to what the future has in store.
The local health service is in great shape.
It has never been as well resourced and every day £1.3m is spent on healthcare for Hull residents.
When the NHS was established no-one could have imagined the range of treatments that would become available.
But new treatments, of course, raise patients' expectations and higher demands on our services mean more and more money has to be paid into the system to keep it going.
The city is facing massive health challenges.
We have some of the country's highest rates of heart disease and cancer as well as rising levels of obesity and diabetes.
These are linked to the extent to which local people smoke and drink, and whether or not they exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet.
Too many Hull people are dying before their time compared to those in other parts of the country.
So to help tackle these problems we have opened community health centres across the city as part of a £75m investment.
These modern centres have a range of extra facilities including clinical and consulting rooms to bring health services closer to where people live.
This will enable us to offer a more convenient service to residents young and old over the next 25 years.
We are creating a modern NHS to meet the needs of the people of Hull, but we need your help too, as prevention is better than cure.
Now is a great time to look at your lifestyle and that of your family - what changes could you make to improve your health?
Whether it is quitting smoking, reducing your alcohol intake, improving your diet or becoming more active, we have hundreds of dedicated staff who can help make it happen.
Making positive lifestyle changes will prevent many illnesses and long term conditions from developing.
You can make a difference to your health now and feel the benefits for years to come."

Chris Long, Chief Executive, Hull Teaching Primary Care Trust

NHS timeline Here are some of the key stages in the development of the NHS
1973 - an ambulance at Kingston General Hospital 1979 - a laser surgery machine at Hull Royal Infirmary 1980s - Sister Lynn Milner (left) and sister Jacqueline Griffin attend to a 'patient', enrolled nurse Michele Kent, to test intensive care equipment at Hull Royal Infirmary	1948	The NHS is launched by Minister of Health Aneurin Bevan to bring together hospitals, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, opticians and dentists under one free service for the first time
	1954	British scientists establish the link between smoking and lung cancer
	1958	Polio and diphtheria vaccinations launched
	1961	The contraceptive pill is made available
	1962	First hip replacement
	1968	First heart transplant carried out
	1979	First bone marrow transplant
	1981	Key hole surgery used successfully for the first time
	1988	Free breast screening introduced to women over 50
	1994	NHS Organ Donor Register is set up to enable people to offer their organs for transplant after death to help save the lives of others
	1998	NHS Direct is launched. The telephone service which provides patients with 24 hour health advice now handles more than 500,000 callers every month
	2007	The national smoking ban in all enclosed public spaces means a healthier environment for people to work and socialise in.

Did you know ... In 1948, a cataract operation meant a week of total immobility with the patient's head supported by sandbags. Eye surgery is now over within 20 minutes, and most patients are out of hospital the same day. The first heart transplant in the UK took place on 3 May 1968 at the National Heart Hospital in Marylebone, London. By December 2007 another 5,328 heart transplants had been carried out in the UK. The world waited until 1978 for Britain to produce the first test-tube baby; 6,000 are now born here annually. The breast-screening programme introduced in 1988 now saves the lives of 1,400 women a year.

1967 - Hull Royal Infirmary and staff

How you can improve your health

Active Lifestyles Service – designed for those who are not used to exercise, the Active Lifestyles team helps people to become more active and develop healthier lifestyles.
Ask your GP for a referral or call 335209 for more information.

Expert Patients Programme – a free, non-clinical six week course for anyone living with any long-term health condition, the Expert Patients Programme aims to help people manage their condition on a day to day basis.
Courses are led by tutors with a long term health condition themselves.
Call 344297 for more information.

Hull Health Trainers – the Health Trainers support adults in Hull to lead a healthier lifestyle.
Between them, the Health Trainers cover all areas of the city and offer free one to one advice and encouragement.
Call 617912 or text "Health" to 81800 for more information.

Minor Ailments Service - anyone who does not pay prescription charges can benefit from this service.
Pharmacists can provide free medicine if they think it is needed, without the patient having to see a GP for a prescription.
Visit your local community pharmacist for more information.

Minor Injuries Units - patients with injuries such as sprains, infected wounds and minor head injuries can be seen quickly and efficiently at a Minor Injuries Unit without an appointment.
There are two Minor Injuries Units in Hull, located at Bransholme Health Centre (call 344665) and The Freedom Centre, Preston Road (call 344580).

Stop Smoking Service – the Hull and East Riding Stop Smoking Support Service offers free group and one to one courses, as well as drop in sessions, at venues across the city.
Stop smoking products are available on prescription.
Call freephone 0800 915 5959 for more information.

Stay Healthy, Live Longer – run in partnership with Preston Road NDC and Surestart Marfleet, Stay Healthy, Live Longer aims to promote a healthier lifestyle to people living in east Hull.
This initiative includes the successful Shapes Slimming Club and taster activity sessions.
Call 705333 for more information.

Why Weight? – weekly weight management sessions for 40-60 year olds, focusing on nutrition, food labels, cookery demonstrations and more.
Courses run for eight weeks at venues across the city, and are funded by Hull's Local Strategic Partnership ONE HULL, through the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.
Call 344046 for more information.

Coming soon – the 'Workplace Challenge': a free eight week programme of activities and education designed to encourage people to take easy steps towards adopting a healthier lifestyle whilst at work.
Look out for more information over the coming months.

Working in partnership
Hull Teaching Primary Care Trust tel. (01482) 344700