Page 34 - Real Rochdale - Autumn 2018
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The NHS was formed on 5 July 1948 and has staff celebrated 70 years of the NHS.
provided services that have transformed the well- The celebration was attended by Mayor
being of the nation, as wealth is no longer a factor Mohammed Zaman, members of staff, local citi-
determining a person’s access to health services. zens, and councillors connected to the Infirmary.
In 1948 Rochdale Infirmary had 30 beds and two Mayor Zaman commented: “I’m proud of our NHS
main wards for males and females. One small ward and the people who work hard every day to make
was provided for children. the NHS available. The Rochdale team are brilliant.”
In 1993, Rochdale became the first town to com- Allan Cordwell, Head of the Emergency Planning,
plete the new methods of nurse training introduced Resilience and Response Unit at Oldham and
in Project 2000 nursing. Rochdale, said: “My life was saved by the NHS in
1991 and because of that I ventured into nursing.
The hospital was first instituted in 1832, under the
name of Rochdale Infirmary and Dispensary. “20 years later, I’ve been deployed in Iraq as a
medic and worked in A&E departments helping
A new hospital was provided in 1883 by Thomas with emergency planning.
Watson, a local mill owner and philanthropist,
which became Rochdale Infirmary. “All the staff in Rochdale supported the
celebrations and we hope we can continue to keep
In July, Rochdale Infirmary welcomed visitors as staff trained and patients safe for years to come.”
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