The Roman Baths is set to be illuminated in blue on Wednesday 5th July to celebrate seventy-five years of the NHS.
The Roman Baths | Photo © Bath & North East Somerset Council
The historic landmark is one of three set to host a light display across the region, with Swindon’s Central Library and Salisbury Cathedral also being illuminated in NHS blue to commemorate the anniversary.
Residents are being invited to visit the locations to enjoy the display and look back on their own experiences of the NHS.
Sue Harriman, Chief Executive, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “People have always been at the heart of the NHS and I know so many people have the NHS in their hearts, which is why I hope residents in our region will join me in sharing an enormous sense of pride when these iconic local landmarks go blue on Wednesday 5th July.
“For 75 years, the NHS has been a constant aspect of our everyday lives, and something we have all relied upon at one time or another.
“I’m sure that people in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire going about their everyday lives will see these anniversary light displays and be warmly reminded of their own experience of the NHS, and how it has cared for them and their families over the years.”
The NHS became the world’s first health service that was available for free at the point of need when it was established on Monday 5th July 1948.
Since then, the health service has grown exponentially and, as of 2023, cares for around one million people every day.
Councillor Sarah Warren, Deputy Leader, Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “This is a small gesture of appreciation for the tireless work that the NHS staff do every day to care for people.
“The health service has a huge impact on our community, and we hope that these illuminations will serve as a reminder of the incredible efforts of NHS staff over the years.”
Next month also sees another anniversary, as the region’s integrated care board, along with several others from across the country that came into being on the same day, celebrates its first birthday.
Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board came into being at one minute past midnight on Friday 1st July 2022, following a transition from the region’s former clinical commissioning group.
With responsibility for providing more than £1.5 billion of health services to local people, the role of the ICB has been to improve integration between the many different organisations providing care across one specific geographical area.
