Celebrating 75 years of the NHS in Scotland

2023 marks the 75th Anniversary of the NHS which was founded on 5 July 1948. This year also marks the 75th year of social care services.

The Anniversary offers the opportunity for staff, patients and the public to mark the past 75 years and to look forward to the needs of future generations and what health and care will look like in years to come. 

The Anniversary offers the opportunity for staff, patients and the public to mark the past 75 years and to look forward to the needs of future generations and what health and care will look like in years to come. 

In particular, it provides a great opportunity to: 

  • Mark the Anniversary and demonstrate 75 years of achievement, making a difference to people’s lives; 

  • Recognise the contribution of staff - across NHS, partners in care, voluntary organisations, and volunteers - thanking them for their hard work and commitment, demonstrating their achievement and successes, whilst acknowledging the challenges they face;

  • Confirm our on-going commitment to the founding principles of the NHS; 

  • Look forward and build confidence amongst staff and the public about the future of the NHS, recognising that the way care is delivered will continue to evolve. 

We know that our NHS and social care services are still under pressure and remain extremely busy, the 75th Anniversary, coming as it does in the midst of these challenges, provides a further opportunity for people to thank staff, ensure that staff across health and social care feel valued, and to drive some of the very positive stories of staff commitment. 

We are encouraging as many staff, patients, communities and organisations as possible to mark the anniversary - both in the weeks leading up to 5 July 2023 and on the day itself. 

Over the coming weeks and months look out for further information on ways to get involved and celebrate.