A MOMENTOUS scene in British history – marking the beginning of the NHS – will be brought back to life at Trafford General Hospital.

Staff of past, present and students representing the future of the NHS will assemble outside of the hospital, in Moorside Road, Davyhulme, to recreate the now iconic photograph of Nye Bevan’s visit to the hospital to inaugurate the NHS in 1948 – almost 68 years ago to the day.

The event is part of an annual ‘Wellness Day’ held to celebrate the contribution Trafford Hopsital’s workforce makes every day.

Head of Nursing Jane Grimshaw said: “We’re aiming to bring together staff from all disciplines to celebrate how working together has made Trafford the success it is today.

“We would love to involve our now-retired colleagues to mark Trafford’s journey since its inauguration as the birthplace of the NHS in 1948, as well as include our students who will be the future of the NHS. It’s exciting to recreate such a pivotal moment in history, on a day when we celebrate our staff. We’d love for everyone to get involved.”

Trafford Hospital is widely considered the ‘birthplace of the NHS’ as Aneurin Bevan, Health Minister, chose the hospital to stage the symbolic event of ‘receiving the keys’ from Lancashire County Council on July 5 1948.

This signalled the start of the National Health Service. Sylvia Diggory became the first NHS patient to be treated at the hospital, aged 13.

Retired staff are invited to get involved in the event, taking place from 12.30-1.30pm on July 20.

If you used to work at Trafford Hospital and would like to get involved in the recreation, contact Joanne Berry on 0161 746 2914 or email joanne.berry@cmft.nhs.uk.