CELEBRATIONS are taking place across Knutsford and Cheshire East today to commemorate the 75-year anniversary of the NHS.

The East Cheshire NHS Trust will be hosting celebrations for staff, patients, and visitors today to celebrate this massive milestone.

The NHS, which was created in 1948, was the first universal health system to be available to all, free at the point of delivery, and now, 75 years on, treats more than a million people a day in England alone.

The milestone has brought out support from the local community, speaking of their love of the NHS.

Knutsford’s mayor Peter Coan praised every single employee of the health service for their dedication and commitment.

He said: “The NHS is fantastic, an absolutely dedicated organisation. Each and everyone that works for the NHS plays their part.

“I take my hat off to all the porters, receptionists, people who stand in corridors and help patients find their way around, nurses, doctors, surgeons, and maintenance people.

“All these people are unsung heroes and form an integral part of the NHS.”

The community should feel proud and grateful, he said, to receive such first-class care.

Cllr Coan added: “The services they provide are without exception world-class.

“If you need it, you get it instantly. If you are involved in an accident, you will be treated within minutes or hours and receive the best care in the world.”

He also commended the constant sharing of skills, expertise, and knowledge.

“All the teaching of healthcare professionals that goes on in a lot of NHS hospitals is incredible,” he said.

“They are setting standards and developing techniques we should all be proud of.”

Chief executive of the East Cheshire NHS Trust, Ged Murphy said: “We’ve got lots of activities happening across all our sites to celebrate the NHS 75th anniversary so we’re asking everyone to get involved.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to raise some money for our Trust charity and celebrate the hard work of all our colleagues and the brilliance of the NHS.”

Tatton MP Esther McVey, added: "I want to thank all of our dedicated NHS staff who work tirelessly to care for their patients. The compassion they show to people in what is often the most stressful time of their lives is remarkable.

“As a nation we need to acknowledge we are living longer and often with more complex needs so it is right that we look at how we train our doctors and nurses and plan for the increased number of staff we will need - that is why I fully support the long term plan, announced by the Prime Minister last week, which will be the biggest ever expansion in doctors and nurses being trained.

“We must reduce with speed the hospital waiting lists created by Covid lockdowns, a point I have made repeatedly to ministers.

“I want my constituents to access the healthcare they need in a timely manner, and we cannot allow lockdown and the pandemic to create other health crises.

“I am proud a Conservative government has increased investment in the NHS every year since 2010 and that there are now 37,800 more doctors and 53,700 more nurses than in 2010.”

To support and celebrate the day, Macclesfield Hospital will be hosting a ‘Support our Big Tea’ event, in which they will be selling birthday cake for £2 between 12.30pm and 2pm, with all proceeds going to the hospital charity.

In celebrations for staff, Macclesfield Hospital staff will be hosting ‘The Great East Cheshire 75th Bake-Off competition’ with all proceeds going towards the Trust charity.