News Maidstone Museum celebrates NHS at 75
Today, Wednesday 5 July the NHS celebrates 75 years of service and Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) is showcasing the fantastic work it does with a free exhibition at Maidstone Museum.
Working with Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW), MBC and the Museum team have created a special exhibition open to the public until 14 October.
Maidstone Museum’s ‘Helping Health – 75 Years of the NHS’ exhibition includes personal memories of people who have worked for the service over the years and looks at what was available in the way of healthcare before the NHS, how it was formed, the services available now and the difference in the equipment available then and now for clinicians.
The exhibition was officially opened yesterday, Tuesday 4 July, by the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Gordon Newton who said:
This exhibition is very close to my heart not only because my wife Carol worked at Maidstone Hospital for many years, but also thanks to the fantastic work of the NHS which has helped my family.
Over 75 years there have been many changes to the NHS in staffing levels and scientific discoveries aiding our health through vaccines, antibiotics, cancer care and mental health care. The exhibition at Maidstone Museum looks at those changes along with instruments from the past, and visitors will learn about the medical marvels, epidemics, uniforms, and remember the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Mayor continued:
I was delighted to open Maidstone Museum’s ‘Helping Health – 75 Years of the NHS Exhibition’ which is a wonderful way for us to pay tribute and celebrate the great service we have. I am so pleased that it includes the memories of local people who were at the heart of the service in Maidstone and we can hear and see how it has changed over the years.
The Council has collaborated with MTW NHS Trust to bring the exhibition together. It includes historical artefacts, medical equipment throughout the years, and concentrates on the hospitals, doctors and nursing staff who have been and are extremely valuable in maintaining our health today.
Miles Scott, Chief Executive of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust added:
The NHS at 75 is a perfect opportunity to reflect on the remarkable developments in healthcare during this time, and to celebrate our NHS people. Our exceptional staff are passionate about the work they do and dedicated to providing outstanding care.The exhibition helps us tell the local story of our NHS and we’re delighted to be a part of this fantastic project which showcases the extraordinary history of the NHS in Maidstone.
Maidstone Museum’s ‘Helping Health – NHS at 75’ exhibition is open free of charge until Saturday 14 October. To find out opening times, more on events and exhibitions please go to: www.museum/maidstone.gov.uk