Shropshire sculpture contest calling for ideas to mark NHS anniversary

The piece of art will be made in a partnership between The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust and the county's British Ironwork Centre, which will create the piece free of charge.

A competition to design the structure has been launched, with both organisations calling on the public to get involved.

Old pieces of equipment that can no longer be used or repaired include obsolete blood pressure monitors, parts of hospital beds, surgical hands, microscopes, a former anaesthetic machine, a broken dialysis machine and wheelchairs.

Artist Luke Kite will turn the winning design into a reality.

The hospital trust is holding an NHS 70 Charity Fun Day on July 7 at the Shropshire Education Centre at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital when the sculpture will be revealed.

Richard Jones, Senior Communications Specialist at SaTH, was the man who originally floated the idea of working with the British Ironwork Centre to create a sculpture to mark the landmark.

“I have known the team at the British Ironwork Centre for many years, and having been involved in a number of exciting projects with them in the past, I knew they would be the perfect partners to create something that reflects how passionate we all are about the NHS.”

Clive Knowles from the centre, said: “We are delighted to be working with SaTH to create a stunning sculpture to mark the 70 th anniversary of the NHS.

“We want to create something that stands the test of time and reflects the kind, caring and hard-working people who work in the organisation throughout Shropshire.

“A couple of years ago I was diagnosed with cancer and became seriously ill, and although I have now put that behind me it has given me great empathy with the NHS and with hospitals generally. I was in hospital for three months – first at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and then at The Christie in Manchester – and I will always be grateful for the care from our National Health Service.”

Julia Clarke, Director of Corporate Governance at the hospital trust said: “We have big plans when it comes to celebrating the 70 th anniversary of the NHS so to have a sculpture created, with input from the people we serve, is really very special.

“It is also great that the sculpture will make use of obsolete hospital equipment which otherwise would be sent to scrap. SaTH takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously and therefore I am delighted we are recycling old equipment and reducing the amount of waste that potentially goes to landfill."

People with designs can submitting their ideas via sath.nhs.uk/nhs70 by February 16.

Fun day ‘bigger and better’ for birthday bash

Shropshire’s two acute hospitals will celebrate the 70th birthday of the NHS with a specially-themed fun day this summer.

SaTH will hold the event in the grounds of the Shropshire Conference Centre at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on July 7 – two days after the NHS officially turns 70.

NHS organisations across the country will be marking the anniversary with a series of events including open days, exhibitions, staff awards themed around the birthday. The NHS Big7Tea will be a tea party for staff, retired staff, volunteers, patients, users, carers and community groups, with competitions for children and young people to get involved with.

Julia Clarke, Director of Corporate Governance at SaTH, which runs Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, said: “We first held an open day at our Trust two years ago, which grew hugely last year when we combined it with our annual charity hospital walk, run and cycle.

“This year, we plan to make it even bigger and better by inviting partner organisations to join with us in celebrating the 70th birthday of the greatest gift Britain has ever given to itself – the NHS.

“Planning is still at an early stage but there will be stalls and attractions, as well as a fundraising element in the form of a 5km circular charity walk or run and a separate cycle ride.”

The fun day, which is being organised by a team of volunteers, is being held at Shropshire Conference Centre, which means the event can be moved indoors in case of bad weather. To get involved in the fun day go to sath.nhs.uk/nhs70