NHS saved my sight, says PM

Jul 5 2008 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

GORDON Brown visited staff and patients at a North hospital yesterday to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the NHS.

The Prime Minister toured Sunderland hospital’s state-of-the-art new cardiology lab and vowed to provide the means to make the NHS the envy of the world for a further 60 years.

As he cut a cake decorated with the NHS logo and the dates 1948-2008, he said the NHS would become more focused on providing preventative care to help improve the health of the nation.

“I learned early on the value of the NHS,” he said.

“I injured myself playing rugby when I was at school in the late 60s, and I needed an operation in hospital.

“The nurses and surgeons there worked wonderfully and they saved my eyesight.”

Mr Brown added that the nation should be proud of the service: “We have created a service which is for everybody, irrespective of wealth or background, where treatment is available according to people’s need.

“Health is not something which can be purchased; it is something which is guaranteed.

“The NHS is something we can be incredibly proud of.

“Today is a celebration of that service and an affirmation of the work of the NHS staff. The NHS is the pride of our country.

“It was enshrined in 1948 and has served the country for 60 years. I hope it will be able to serve the country for the next 60 years in the same way, and better. It has touched everybody in this country, has saved thousands of lives and treated millions of people.

“We are now trying to build an NHS for the 21st century.

“We want a health service which will be tackling ill health by providing more emphasis on screenings and preventative medicine, and on tackling obesity.

“We need to build more new hospitals and push for further advances in medicine and medical technology.”

During his visit Mr Brown also said that he was disappointed at the vote by MPs to support their expenses payments earlier this week. I was not happy about what happened. I was disappointed.

“We voted to keep the pay of MPs down and now we must look at the issue of expenses and accountability again.”

Former shipyard worker Ethel Clark, 87, shook Mr Brown’s hand as he greeted staff and patients.

The great-grandmother, who was 27 when the NHS was born, said she’d “not wash her hand for a week”.

“I owe my hearing to the NHS,” Mrs Clark, from Grangetown in Sunderland, said.

“Without it I’d be deaf. It’s important for people like me, who cannot afford to go private.”

During his visit to the North East Mr Brown also addressed Unison representatives in Newcastle.