Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn MP, last night (Thursday 5 July), sent a personal message of birthday congratulations to the first baby born in the NHS. Welsh-born Aneira Thomas shares her seventieth birthday with the National Health Service and was named in honour of the founder, Tredegar’s Aneurin Bevan.
Jeremy Corbyn’s video message was delivered at a special UNISON gala dinner at the Cardiff City stadium, to celebrate the individual contributions of public service workers.
Aneira was presented with a 70th birthday cake and guests including Welsh Health Minister Vaughan Gething AM and Local Government Minister Alun Davies AM, were entertained by the Tenovus charity’s cancer choir.
Jeremy Corbyn said,
“Aneira, I would like to wish you a very happy birthday. You were the first ever baby born in our NHS, 70 years ago today. You’re a symbol of the world’s first comprehensive health service; built on the principle that healthcare should be available to all on the basis of need, not ability to pay. Your mum named you after its architect, Labour’s Health Secretary in the 1945 government, Aneurin Bevan.
“I’ve heard you describe Bevan as a visionary. He was. Out of the rubble and the devastation of the Second World War, he helped to build a compassionate, socialist healthcare system. Its Labour’s and our country’s proudest achievement.
“So, as we’ve done before, I look forward to campaigning with you and fighting for our NHS and for a healthcare system that provides healthcare as a human right, not a privilege.”
Notes for editors
- Link to Jeremy Corbyn’s birthday message on YouTube
- UNISON’s prestigious Regional Awards are presented to Welsh public service workers in recognition of the valuable contribution they make in their workplace. Candidates have been nominated by their peers for ‘going the extra mile’, being a positive role model for colleagues, helping to make the NHS a national treasure and keeping local services running despite brutal spending cuts by the UK Westminster government.
Contact
Alastair Gittins, UNISON press officer on 07816 538 397