NHS is the "pride of Britain"
4 July 2008
Gordon Brown visited staff and patients at a Sunderland hospital today to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the NHS.
The Prime Minister toured the 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.
He said the nation should be proud of the NHS as it serves everyone, irrespective of wealth or background.
"Health is not something which can be purchased; it is something which is guaranteed.
"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."
The NHS of the 21st century will tackle ill health by providing more emphasis on screenings and preventative medicine, and on tackling obesity, the PM told staff.
More new hospitals and further advances in medicine and medical technology were also needed, he said.
Reflecting on his own experiences as a patient of the NHS, Mr Brown recalled the treatment he received as a teenager after an incident in a rugby match left him in danger of losing his sight. He praised the nurses and surgeons who "worked wonderfully" to save his eyesight.
Earlier this week health minister Lord Darzi released his final report on the future of the NHS, arguing for more control to be given to local, frontline staff and patients.
Lesley Garrett sings to mark NHS at 60
World-class soprano Lesley Garrett was at Number 10 earlier this week to attend a reception to mark the NHS at 60. Relatives of the founding father of the NHS, Nye Bevan, also give their thoughts on the anniversary.
Archive of PM's speeches