As the Norfolk and Waveney health and care system prepares to celebrate its first birthday health leaders are taking the opportunity to thank staff for their ongoing hard work and commitment.

Since last July each part of the country has had what is known as an Integrated Care System (ICS) – partnerships of organisations that come together to plan and deliver joined up health and care services to improve the lives of people in their area.

Our ICS is made up of many different organisations and includes a statutory Integrated Care Board (ICB) called NHS Norfolk and Waveney, and an Integrated Care Partnership (ICP), a formal alliance of partners with a role in improving the health and wellbeing of our residents.

A significant amount of work has taken place at both scale and pace over the last year to address many of the challenges our health and care system in Norfolk and Waveney is facing. This includes working hard to bring our waiting lists down, reducing ambulance handover delays at our acute hospitals, transforming mental health services and working with and listening to our staff, residents and communities to build services that work better for them.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will be seen and felt for many years. But nonetheless, colleagues across our health and care system have worked extremely hard to improve the quality and experience of many services.

It comes as the NHS prepares to celebrate its 75th birthday on Wednesday 5 July. Formed at a time of great uncertainty in 1948 but created with optimism and hope the founding principles of the NHS remain as relevant and valued today as they did then. While a lot has changed over the past seven decades, the NHS has remained a constant in all our lives – a true British institution. One that has no doubt, touched all our lives at some point.

Tracey Bleakley, Chief Executive of NHS Norfolk and Waveney said: “As we mark our first birthday as NHS Norfolk and Waveney and as an Integrated Care System, as well as 75 years of the NHS, it provides the perfect opportunity for us to recognise all our amazing health and care staff in Norfolk and Waveney and their ongoing contribution over what have been an enormously challenging few years.

“I would like to extend my personal gratitude to all our teams who continue to put in incredible effort and even make personal sacrifices to support health and care services and our people and communities, as we work to deliver our ambition of helping people live longer, happier and healthier lives.

“We could not achieve all we have without the skill, dedication and compassion of the people who work and volunteer in our health and care system.

“From our vibrant and thriving voluntary sector, district and local authorities and community teams, through to ambulance teams, pharmacy colleagues, carers, and all colleagues working across the NHS and social care – we know how diligently everyone has been working to deliver their important services and we thank you all for your ongoing efforts to support the health and wellbeing of our staff, people and communities.”

To find out more about a career in health and care you can visit our teams at the Royal Norfolk Show on Wednesday 28 June and Thursday 29 June.

NHS Norfolk and Waveney is working with partner organisations and will be based in the Norfolk County Council marquee at 218 – 3rd Drive (opposite the Grand Ring). Our stand will focus on supporting those who are interested in pursuing a career in the health and care sector, helping to find a suitable path for each individual. There will also be information on volunteering opportunities for returning health and care professionals and for those who have retired but may still be keen to work flexibly.

Visitors to the showground will also have the chance to hop on The Wellness on Wheels (WOW) Bus. The WOW Bus has been travelling for miles across Norfolk and Waveney and will be making a special journey to the Royal Norfolk Show. The WoW Bus will be parked up at 220 – Avenue 8. Services available on the bus include: COVID-19 vaccinations, NHS health checks along with self-testing sexual health kits and C-cards. The WOW bus is supported by partner organisations across the health and care system.