Matron, Medicine And Me: 70 Years Of The NHS

70 years ago, when the 1946 National Health Service Bill was presented to Parliament, it promised to revolutionise the healthcare system across the country. To mark the anniversary, Lucy Alexander, Myleene Klass, Oritsé Williams, Miriam Margolyes and Eric Knowles go on a journey to meet the doctors, nurses, porters, cleaning staff and carers who have kept the service going against all the odds, and the patients whose lives have been saved by them.

They look at the NHS then and now, seeing how things have changed and evolved through the decades. 

Since its introduction the NHS has developed into a national institution which has touched most of our lives in one way or another. However, it has faced its share of trials along the way. From the children’s ward to the care of the elderly, Matron, Medicine And Me:70 Years Of The NHS hears the stories of five famous faces - all with a very personal involvement with the NHS. 

Monday: Lucy Alexander
Lucy’s own daughter was looked after by the NHS when she was left paralysed after developing Transverse Myelitis - a rare neurological disease - and was hospitalised for months before needing intense rehabilitation and ongoing treatment. Lucy goes on an emotional journey as she is reunited with the staff who helped to save her daughter’s life.

Lucy also traces healthcare in London, from early visiting restrictions to children being looked after today at Evelina London Children’s Hospital.

Tuesday: Myleene Klass
Myleene has a passionate interest in nursing, as her mum - Magdalena - joined the NHS as a nurse from the Philippines over 40 years ago. Myleene joins her mum as she visits the hospital in Great Yarmouth where she trained and worked and recalls what it was like to be a nurse there.

To get a better understanding of what it takes to be a nurse today, Myleene pulls on her scrubs and gets to work with a ward of nurses in Belfast. Along the way she learns about the backbone of the NHS - its hospitals - and the invaluable role of staff from overseas, including her own mum.

Wednesday: Oritsé Williams
When he was 12 years old Oritsé’s mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The diagnosis had a huge impact on Oritsé, who became his mother's main carer as her health deteriorated and they came to rely more and more on the NHS for her healthcare.

Inspired by his own personal journey, Oritsé wants to learn more about the history of the NHS and how it has been caring for the elderly population over the years.

Oritsé also travels to Tredegar, Wales, birthplace of Aneurin Bevan, the man widely regarded as the father of the Health Service, to learn more about how the NHS came into being.

Thursday: Miriam Margolyes (pictured with Dr Jim O Neil at Lightburn Medical Centre, Glasgow)
Miriam’s father Joseph, was a GP who was devoted to the NHS all his life. In this episode Miriam returns to Glasgow where her father trained as a doctor, to learn more about his time there and to find out how he helped to fulfil the NHS mission of providing ‘doctors on your doorstep’ across the nation.

Miriam looks at how healthcare has evolved over the years, from the Gorbal’s Slums to the cutting-edge emergency helicopter retrieval service saving lives today in rural Scotland.

Friday: Eric Knowles
As a youngster Eric was hospitalised for six weeks with an undiagnosed illness. Eric learns how science has improved both diagnosis and the quality of life of cancer sufferers today. He also goes on a journey to discover the hidden heroes of the NHS - the porters - and their vital role in keeping the hospitals going.

Publicity contact: BBC Programme Desk