North East NHS trusts and groups  from across the region have spoken out as the service reaches a milestone anniversary in its history.

Today (July 5) marks the 75th anniversary of the National Health Service (NHS), as tributes flood in for the organisation that has cared for the nation since 1948.

To mark this momentous occasion, NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts from the North East have been celebrating the work of their staff and the service that one worker claims is the “envy of the world”.

Read more: North East and Cumbria Care Board backs NHS workforce plan

The Northern Echo contacted trusts in the region to understand their thoughts on the 75th anniversary and ask what they think the future will look like for the NHS.

For County Durham and Darlington’s NHS Foundation Trust, the NHS is still a “world leader”.

Sue Jacques, Chief Executive of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said: “This anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the many improvements in healthcare seen over the last 75 years and we look forward to the future and continuing to provide our patients with the very best care. 

“The UK is a world leader in medical research and County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust has a very proactive research team that makes sure we’re involved in cutting-edge studies so our patients can benefit from the latest medications, investigations and other treatments.

“We’re very proud of our services and the teams running them.  We thank them for the dedication, skill, kindness, and compassion they show to our patients each and every day –whether in caring for them directly or through our vital behind-the-scenes services.”

The Echo also approached Tees, Esk and Wear Valley Trust, which specialises in mental health care.

Dr Ranjeet Shah, who works as a clinical lead for the community transformation in Tees Valley, has marked the occasion by thanking staff who make the service what it is.

They said: “NHS75 is our opportunity to celebrate the institution that is the NHS, and say thank you to our colleagues, patients, carers and volunteers who have made the NHS what it is.

“As we look to the future of NHS mental health care, we must put the patient at the centre of everything we do. This includes more co-creation, collaboration and partnership working between the people we support, carers, agencies and our system partners.

“Working together, we aim to deliver tailored services based around the whole-life needs of a person – not just their mental health needs.”

In Hartlepool, the mood of bosses is hopeful as the NHS reaches its 75th year.

Deepak Dwarakanath, chief medical officer at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The future of the NHS is very exciting. The speed that healthcare has transformed over the years has been quite incredible and I see more and more changes and opportunities in the future.

“We are able to help our patients in ways that never seemed possible before and the way we carry out treatment continues to evolve almost day by day.

“We have a health system that is the envy of the world, and we should be so proud of that.”

Further north, at South Tyneside and Sunderland's NHS Foundation Trust, a four week programme of celebratory events will be held with workers "at the heart" of all the fitness and fun based activities.

Trust chief executive Ken Bremner MBE said: “July 5 will see our NHS reach its 75th year and to this day, it remains free at the point of delivery.

“It continues to ensure every single one of us is cared for throughout our lives and strives to help us live better and for longer.

“We are proud to serve South Tyneside and Sunderland out in our communities and in our hospitals.

“Our fantastic, committed and highly-skilled colleagues are the powerhouse behind our organisation. We must also remember our volunteers and partners, who play a key part in our work."

It hasn’t just been NHS trusts marking the special occasion, as health programmes based in the North East have recognised the anniversary by doubling down on their pledges to work tirelessly for their community.

Ailsa Rutter OBE is a former nurse and director of Fresh and Balance. The programme is the North East’s leading programme dedicated to reducing the harm of tobacco and alcohol use.

She said: “The 75th anniversary of the NHS is an important moment in time to reflect how far treatment and healthcare has come since the 1940s - and pay tribute to the generations of dedicated health care professionals and support staff over this time.  

“With so much discussion on the future of the NHS it’s vital to reflect also on the key role that prevention needs to play. We welcomed the NHS Long Term Plan focus that we need to treat people but also prevent them from getting ill in the first place from conditions like cancer, heart disease and dementia.

“The NHS in the region has been working well with partners to focus more on prevention and it’s vital that this becomes normal practice.”

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The 75th anniversary of the NHS comes just days after the government confirmed a new plan to boost the NHS workforce that involves doubling medical school places across UK universities.

The 15-year plan will see 24,000 more nurses in the service as well as expand the number of GP training places by 50 per cent.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan on June 30 at a press conference, as the government stresses their commitment to the service.

Sunak said: “Our society is growing older, the burden of illness is changing, and all of this will put pressure on an already overstretched workforce.”

He said governments from all parties had “ducked” the workforce challenge for decades but said “overcoming this won’t be quick or easy”.

He added: “It’s only possible because of the difficult decisions we’re taking elsewhere to cut the debt and by prioritising the NHS there will be other things that we can’t afford.

“But the NHS is too important. So we’re making the tough calls, and doing things differently, to protect the long term future of the NHS and this country.”