Posted on: 6 July 2023
Jenny Lanyero, Team Manager of the Brent Health Inequalities Team attended a reception at No.10 Downing Street to celebrate 75 years of the NHS.
She writes:
We were hosted in the reception rooms where they usually hold press conferences. The reception was very busy with more than 100 NHS staff from across the country who work in diverse services and at various levels. Refreshments were served and we networked excitedly. Others had joined after attending the thanksgiving service at Westminster Abbey.
I saw the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak briefly but I didn't get a chance to speak to him. He was ushered out shortly to attend to another event.
Steve Barclay, the Health and Social Care Secretary spoke of the history of the NHS, it’s importance and future plans to sustain it. He thanked everyone for their dedication and hard work. He emphasised the need to recognise all staff contribution and made special mention of domestic staff such as porters and those who work in the background. I spoke to him briefly, telling him about our Trust, Brent and our work on inequalities. He said we do ‘a fantastic a job’. I told him that we are working hard to ensure parity of esteem and he said this was very important.
Dame Ruth May DBE-Chief Nursing Officer for England was also there. One of the highlights was meeting Nurse and Morden Matron May Parsons who she administered the first covid vaccine outside the clinical trials. She was delightful, we connected naturally.
It was an honour privilege to be asked to join the reception to celebrate the NHS at 75. I was pleasantly surprised to receive this invitation last Wednesday. I am honoured and very grateful for the opportunity to represent CNWL, Brent, Nursing and BAME staff at this milestone in the NHS.”
Jenny Lanyero with Matron May Parsons who she administered the first Covid vaccine outside the clinical trials