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NHS at 72 - commitment and dedication in response to COVID-19

NHS at 72 - commitment and dedication in response to COVID-19

3rd July 2020

2020 marks the 72nd Anniversary of the NHS which was founded on 5 July 1948. This year also marks the 72nd year of social care services.

The Anniversary offers the opportunity for staff, patients and the public to mark the past 72 years; to look forward to the needs of future generations, and consider what health and care will look like in the future.

Proud history

Modern medicine is built on medical research – accomplishments, innovations and breakthroughs tell the story of the NHS in Scotland; and have helped to transform the lives of patients around the world.

As we celebrate this new milestone for the NHS, the ability to translate research and innovation into excellent individual healthcare is more important than ever.

The COVID-19 response

The unprecedented Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has demonstrated research, development and innovation are an integral and vital part of our NHS.

With a strong history of medical research in Scotland; part of the COVID-19 response has been to rally our excellent research resource to advance understanding of COVID-19, to gather evidence about effective interventions and to understand the impact of COVID-19 on our population.

As a new virus with no specific vaccines or treatments; advancing scientific knowledge and researching new ways to understand and treat the disease has been critical. This work has been led by The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) of Scottish Government working closely with NHS Boards across Scotland to take forward COVID-19 research.

As we move to a new phase of the pandemic, work is now underway to restore Scotland’s diverse portfolio of health and social care research and looking to the longer term, new funding call will focus on research to inform policy and the recovery of the health, care and public health systems from the pandemic.

Thank you

A huge thank you to all health and social care staff involved in health research and the fight against COVID-19, and all patients participating in COVID-19 research – your support is vital.

In celebrating 72 years of NHS we remain as committed as ever to ensuring patients have access to high-quality research within the NHS in Scotland.

Further information and get involved

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