Published on: 7 July 2025
Last week (5 July 2025) marked the 77th birthday of the NHS, which has been supporting British families since 1948. To commemorate this milestone Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust staff and patients celebrated the NHS’s birthday with several events and activities leading up to the big day. 
Colleagues came together from all services to recognise the NHS’s success over the last 77 years. Bakers from wards and teams across the Trust held an NHS ‘Big Tea’ to raise money for the Trust’s charitable funds and mark the special occasion on Friday 5 July.
A Park Run was also organised for colleagues on Saturday 5 July at Markeaton Park in Derby – for colleagues who were not close to Markeaton, they ran at their local Park Run to participate. This year runners were encouraged to wear blue when taking part, in recognition of the 77th birthday of the NHS.
Mark Powell, Chief Executive at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “As we mark the 77th birthday of the NHS, it’s a moment to reflect on the incredible journey of our national health service since 1948. The NHS has been a constant source of care and compassion for generations, and it’s inspiring to see how far we’ve come with helping those live well in our communities.
“This year, our colleagues and patients marked the occasion with a series of fantastic events. From NHS Big Tea celebrations to a special Park Run at Markeaton Park where participants proudly wore blue – the spirit of the NHS was truly felt. These moments of togetherness remind us of the strength and dedication of our healthcare community. Thank you to everyone who took part and helped make the NHS’s 77th birthday such a memorable celebration.
To draw the festivities to a close, there is one last event lined up this weekend with the Trust’s summer fayre taking place on Saturday 12 July, organised by the League of Friends charity who voluntarily support the work of Derbyshire Healthcare.
This year is a particularly special celebration as the League of Friends’ turns 70. Funds from the event will support patient activities for people using NHS services including mental health services, learning disabilities services and children’s services.
