As we clap to celebrate 72nd anniversary of the NHS lets not forget those that seek to dismantle it.

Nye Bevans legacy came into the world 72 years ago this morning, when he opened Park Hospital in Manchester at a time of rationing and shortages, when we were nearly bankrupt, a jewel  that the war generation left us with, a proud legacy, for us to all to continue to share.For the first-time doctors, nurses, opticians, dentists and pharmacists all worked under one organisation, free at the point of use. A healthcare service which is available to everyone for free is what separates us from the US. It offered for the first time a free healthcare system for all, and has since  played a vital role in caring for all aspects of our nations health. It has been the envy of the world ever since. My own father served it well for nigh on 40 years. Remember we paid for it, so it is owned by us, it is our precious commodity, it must survive, we must tear the vultures hands from it.
It wouldn’t be possible to run a 7-day NHS, caring for millions of people day-in-day-out without the hard work and dedication of its staff. Despite all the adversity that’s thrown at them: poor pay, bursary cuts, hospital parking fines and staff shortages to name a few; they continue to become stronger and relentlessly deliver fantastic healthcare to the nation. Recent events  have  highlighted the strength, professionalism , dedication and bravery of our healthcare staff. It is truly inspiring to see how amazing the staff handled the recent pandemic and it was a testament to every healthcare worker  throughout the UK. They are a credit to our nation and we couldn’t be more proud. The NHS is a shining example of how a caring society can create   good and safe care based on social solidarity. making such a great contribution towards social and health equality.Over the last few months the NHS has stepped up in ways never seen before, to work out how to deliver services differently following lockdown, recruit tens of thousands more staff, returners and volunteers and even build hospitals to respond to the Covid-19 global pandemic.

Consequently every week of the pandemic, we have seen our communities showing their love and appreciation for the NHS and carers by turning out week after week to clap for the NHS during the difficult weeks of lockdown, the NHS 72^nd anniversary therefore is the ideal opportunity to say thank again.
Everybody across the country is being encouraged to come together on the birthday of the NHS, Sunday July 5, to thank not only NHS staff but all key workers, good neighbours and all those helping others through the coronavirus pandemic.
The NHS has been working with the newly founded /Together coalition to build a national moment to thank everyone who has helped them – and one that aims to reinforce the social connections we will need to get through the next stage of the crisis.
In a joint letter published (Wednesday June 10) dozens of individuals and groups have voiced their support for making Sunday July 5 a day to bring people together to connect with neighbours and their  communities, to say thank you to all those who are helping us through the Covid-19 crisis. It is hoped that the applause, which is planned for 5pm, will become an annual tradition.

NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said he hopes the public will use the anniversary as an opportunity to “say a heartfelt thank you” to hospital staff.
Sir Simon said “This year has been the most challenging in NHS history, with staff displaying extraordinary dedication, skill and compassion to care for the 100,000 patients with Covid-19 who needed specialist hospital treatment and many others besides.
“During this testing time our nurses, doctors, physios, pharmacists and countless more colleagues were sustained by the support of the public, not least through the weekly applause for key workers.
“No health service, not even the NHS, could have coped alone with this coronavirus pandemic.”
Chief executive for NHS Wales Dr Andrew Goodall said Clap for Carers was “very much embraced” in Wales, and he is “delighted” to support it.

As we say thank you, it is important that the human toll of Covid-19 is not forgotten or lost. Therefore, the anniversary is also an opportunity to remember and reflect on their lives of those we have lost to this devastating virus; a chance for the nation to come together and pay our respects.

Immediately after the clapping, people will be encouraged to stay outside to show their thanks/appreciation to their neighbours or get in touch with someone who is lonely, isolated or shielding, to let them know they are supported..
Despite all this the Tory's still seek to dismantle it,  keen to exploit the renewed crisis to break up the NHS to their ‘friends’ and ‘cronies’ in the private sector, Privatisation, outsourcing and fragmentation of the NHS have all  contributed to the deadly PPE scandal and the inability to adequately respond to the pandemic. Two weeks ago, the government tried to prematurely terminate the contracts of student nurses who opted to work for NHS for six months and provide assistance during the pandemic. It was only after a massive public outcry, and a petition of more than 182,000 people, that the government agreed to honour the contracts. They were forced into a similar U-turn over waiving Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for NHS workers from overseas, but reports show that non-EU workers are still being forced to pay.
In a speech on Tuesday promising a “New Deal,” Johnson pledged just £1.5 billion for hospital maintenance and construction—less than one quarter of the £6.5 billion maintenance backlog faced by UK hospitals. Now the NHS is to be plunged into a worse catastrophe than ever before by Johnson’s premature ending of the lockdown and drive to reopen the economy.The opening of factories, schools, and beaches, has already led to a surge in infections in towns and cities throughout the UK, including London, that has already necessitated a local lockdown in Leicester.A second phase of the pandemic will have devastating consequences,
 We should not forget Nye Bevan's words who said ' It will last as long as their are folk with enough faith to fight for it. We  cannot reach the day again where people make a profit out of our sickness. On its birthday we should also join the call for the government to build on the huge public support shown for the NHS during the pandemic by giving health workers across the UK an early substantial pay rise  for their continuing commitment. especially during the coronavirus crisis in 2020, which has seen NHS and Social Care workers  called upon to work on the frontline to keep us safe. They have often had to work without proper resources and PPE, within an already failing system. Many have been forced to sacrifice their lives. In the UK we have now reached the frightening number of excess deaths linked to coronavirus of 64,000 (up to 28 May 2020), the second-highest death toll in the world.
The NHS deserves better, we all deserve better. For those who love the NHS we have to stand up and be counted and keep demanding a.fully funded NHS that meets the needs of all. If we fail to do this all our clapping will just be a hollow gesture, we can't applaud away NHS cuts, we owe it our lives. And if the Tory government cared about the NHS, they wouldn't have run it down for tens years, and  the horrible sight of Boris Johnson clapping outside No10 was like seeing a man applauding the dog he has been kicking to death.The NHS is supposed to meet the needs of everyone, free at the point of use, if Johnson's government really wanted to celebrate its birthday they would end the pivatisation  that is killing this ethos. Happy 72nd birthday NHS our national treasure, thanks to everyone who devotes their livelihood to keeping us safe and healthy, we will keep fighting for you.