Patients and staff across North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust (North Mid) celebrated 73 years of the NHS on Monday, with a series of fun activities to mark this year’s NHS Big Tea event.
After what has been an extremely challenging year for people across country, particularly in the health and care services, the Big Tea is a national celebration of our fantastic healthcare professionals who have gone above and beyond to serve their local communities.
Throughout the day, staff and patients were encouraged to take a break and enjoy a cup of tea in their team. Members of the Trust’s executive team personally delivered hampers filled with biscuits, chocolate, tea and coffee to staff working across the Trust’s five community sites: Silverpoint Medical Centre, The Town Clinic, Enfield Civic Centre, wards at Chase Farm Hospital and the Dugdale Centre – the latter of which has been a Covid-19 vaccination centre for local residents..
Around two dozen members of staff were invited to a small, informal garden tea party attended by special guest, Tottenham Hotspur football legend, Gary Mabbutt.
Young patients from North Mid’s paediatric department were also invited to meet the fairytale characters Shrek and Fiona. The characters were provided by Platinum Performing Arts, an award winning performing arts school based in Edmonton.
To make the day possible, North Mid was kindly donated hundreds of pounds’ worth of biscuits, teabags and sweet treats by local Morrisons supermarkets based in Wood Green, Palmers Green and Stamford Hill. Small local business, Salamis Patisserie, also provided cakes for staff.
Dr Andy Heeps, interim Chief Executive, North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust, said: “This past year has without doubt been difficult in a number of different ways: staff have worked tirelessly to care for our local communities, people have been separated from their loved ones and lost those close to them. Whilst our fight against the pandemic is not over, we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel with vaccinations proving to save lives.
“Each and every one of our staff has certainly risen to the challenge of the last year and today we are celebrating them and all those that make our National Health Service so great. Happy 73rd birthday NHS.”
Gary Mabbutt, Tottenham Hotspur legend and Club Ambassador, said: “I was delighted to be part of this special occasion to celebrate the anniversary of the NHS and give thanks to our NHS heroes wo have gone above and beyond during the pandemic to look after our community. It was a great afternoon, and it was lovely to be able to celebrate what the NHS and its staff have done for us all. I hope all the staff at North Mid enjoy their new garden for some well-earned respite.”
Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, hospitals have cared for around 400,000 seriously ill Covid patients in addition to those who did not suffer from the virus. In addition to this, the NHS also rolled out the biggest vaccination programme in our history and the fastest in Europe. However, both achievements would not have been possible without the dedication, commitment and skills of our people. Not to forget the thousands of returners, volunteers and other key workers who helped fight against one of the country’s biggest challenges to date.
