NHS AT 70: What do you think of the NHS?

Tim O’Donoghue from Eldene is five years older than the NHS and it means everything to him. He has been an inpatient and is grateful for treatment. “When you are in there it is excellent but sometimes there can be trouble to get in,” he said.

Denice McGrath, 33, from Covingham said: “You get a nice bed and it’s free.” As a mother of four she found it especially helpful and said people in other countries did not have the benefit of the same treatment without payment.

Former NHS nurse Vida Payne, 73 from Wroughton joined the service in 1963. “Over the years it has changed dramatically,” she said. But not only had it been her employer, it had provided her with a security blanket.

Jason Bullock, 19, from Chippenham used the Great Western Hospital when he broke his arm. He said: “The service is great and hassle-free. They sort everything out for you and it’s always very packed which creates a lot of unfair pressure on them.”

David Offler, 35, from Westlea, said: “The people who work in the NHS are fantastic. I’ve used it plenty of times and so has my daughter. It’s always there when you need it and sometimes people can take advantage of that.”

Ellen Lockett, 40 from Royal Wootton Bassett said the NHS held a special place in her heart. She suffered the agony of losing a child while in labour and said the treatment would have cost a fortune in a foreign country.

Dorothy Stead, 78, of Park North worked for the NHS for 17 years before the arrival of the GWH. When she fell ill recently with sunstroke she needed an ambulance. “If it wasn’t for the NHS I might not still be alive today.”

Julia Shelham, 36 of Eldene said: “It means everything to me.” She suffers from epilepsy and has regular brain scans and hospital care. Her son also has autism and his medication is paid for by the national health service.

How has the NHS helped you? Comment below or message us on Facebook.