Autumn 201870 years of the NHS

1948 - 2018

The NHS was formed on 5 July 1948 and has provided services that have transformed the wellbeing of the nation, as wealth is no longer a factor determining a person’s access to health services.

In 1948 Rochdale Infirmary had 30 beds and two main wards for males and females. One small ward was provided for children.

In 1993, Rochdale became the first town to complete the new methods of nurse training introduced in Project 2000 nursing.

The hospital was first instituted in 1832, under the name of Rochdale Infirmary and Dispensary.

A new hospital was provided in 1883 by Thomas Watson, a local mill owner and philanthropist, which became Rochdale Infirmary.

In July, Rochdale Infirmary welcomed visitors as staff celebrated 70 years of the NHS. The celebration was attended by Mayor Mohammed Zaman, members of staff, local citizens, and councillors connected to the Infirmary.

Mayor Zaman commented: “I’m proud of our NHS and the people who work hard every day to make the NHS available. The Rochdale team are brilliant.”

Allan Cordwell, Head of the Emergency Planning, Resilience and Response Unit at Oldham and Rochdale, said: “My life was saved by the NHS in 1991 and because of that I ventured into nursing.

“20 years later, I’ve been deployed in Iraq as a medic and worked in A&E departments helping with emergency planning.

“All the staff in Rochdale supported the celebrations and we hope we can continue to keep staff trained and patients safe for years to come.”