NHS at 70: Amazing black and white photographs reveal health service's incredible history

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Stunning black and white images chart the incredible history of the NHS as the health service celebrates its 70th anniversary.

Enthralling photographs dating as far back as the 1940s give a glimpse into the changing face of the medical care in the UK.

Nurses clad in caps and aprons are pictured learning anatomy on the roof of St James’ Hospital in Balham which is no longer used.

Another image shows an assistant nurse reading to young patients outside of Wembley Hospital as the three boys play old fashioned board games.

Student nurses learn to make beds at Charing Cross School of Nursing
Getty Images

One photograph marks the introduction of wrist tags for babies to “stop them getting mixed up” while others show midwives and ward sisters nursing as many as 12 newborns at a time.

The intensive care ward in London’s Brompton Hospital is pictured in 1969 with very basic devices and a nurse tending to each patient.

Politicians watch a display of first aid in 1952  
Getty Images

History is captured in the making as a nurse at Greenwich District Hospital which is also no longer in use tests a brand new tannoy system around 1970.

Another amusing picture shows Beatles drummer Ringo Starr tucked up in a hospital bed at University College London while playing cards with bandmate George Harrison.

A day of celebration will today be held to mark the health service’s anniversary.

Nurses and patients looking at a new fish tank, which has been presented to the children's ward at the Prince of Wales General Hospital in Tottenham
Getty Images

Buildings across the country from the Eden Project in Cornwall to the Houses of Parliament will be lit up in the NHS's trademark blue in a nod to the much-loved service.

Thousands of Big 7Tea events are taking place across England to thank staff and raise awareness of NHS charities, while services will take place at Westminster Abbey and York Minster to pay tribute to NHS staff and patients.

Events will also be held in Manchester where the health service was launched seven decades ago to the day.

Yesterday, a special ceremony to mark the NHS at Llandaff Cathedral was attended by the Prince of Wales and Aneira Thomas, the first ever baby born on the NHS.

Speaking at the NHS70 Parliamentary Awards, an event honouring local health heroes from across England, on Wednesday, Health and Social Care Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "We were the sixth in the world to set a universal healthcare system and we have come to symbolise those values that say that here in Britain, everyone matters."

He added: "It doesn't matter who you are, rich or young or city or countryside, you should be confident that you can access good healthcare.

"In poll after poll, if you ask British people what makes them most proud to be British, they say it is the NHS ahead of any of our other national institutions.

"That is only possible because of the utterly extraordinary dedication of our staff."

And at an event on Wednesday to mark the anniversary in Downing Street, Prime Minister Theresa May also hailed the "dedication" of NHS staff.

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