West Mid Celebrates Seventy-Five Years of the NHS


New garden space officially opened to mark the anniversary

Mayor of Hounslow, Councillor Afzaal Kiani cuts the ribbon
Mayor of Hounslow, Councillor Afzaal Kiani cuts the ribbon

July 5, 2023

A new garden space has been officially opened at West Middlesex University Hospital on the 75th birthday of the National Health Service.

Patients and staff were joined by a range of guests including the Borough’s Mayor and players from Brentford FC., whilst enjoying live music, dance performances, cake and ice cream.

CW+, the official charity for Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust, received funding from NHS Charities Together to redevelop the courtyard site. CW+ commissioned artist Heather Burrell to create the central sculpture with help from staff, who made the panelled artwork within the piece at a series of workshops.

The hospital’s younger patients received a visit from the Brentford FC official mascot. The mascot spent time with the children, distributing gift bags. The children also wrote letters on what they thought the NHS would look like in 75 years. The letters were buried in a time capsule which was a key part of the birthday celebrations.

The Mayor of the London Borough of Hounslow, Councillor Afzaal Kiani officially opened the garden. He said, “I am incredibly proud to say West Middlesex has been my local hospital for many years and I am delighted to be part of the birthday celebrations. I am excited to see the work being done and on this very special day, I am thrilled to announce that I have chosen CW+ as the charity of the year for Hounslow to highlight its contribution to our local community.”

Hospital Director, Sheena Basnayake said: “I am delighted to officially open the new garden space on such an important day for the NHS. The increase of green spaces will result in better wellbeing for our patients and staff. I would like to say thank you to all our staff, patients, local community and key partners who contributed to developing the garden and are here with us today celebrating the contribution of West Middlesex Hospital to the London Borough of Hounslow.”

Chris Chaney, Chief Executive of CW+, said, “We are thrilled to celebrate the 75th birthday of the NHS with the opening of the redeveloped courtyard. This relaxing new space will be of huge benefit to patients and staff, and we are incredibly grateful to NHS Charities Together for funding the project.

“It has been a fantastic day, and a timely opportunity to celebrate our hospitals. But there’s more to do. Over the next three years, our focus is to raise £30m to support our Trust in the ongoing delivery of outstanding care to the communities it serves. We’re very grateful that the Mayor of Hounslow is helping us to reach this goal by naming us as one of his Charities of the Year”.

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