Staff across Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust have been at the very heart of celebrations for the health services’ 75th birthday.

Six NHS workers attended the service at Westminster Abbey in London to commemorate the creation of the health service in 1948 last Tuesday.

Elaine Jones, executive officer to the chief executive, was pictured with the Health Secretary Steve Barclay inside Number 10 Downing Street as part of the celebrations.

Ms Jones was also invited to attend this ‘Local NHS Champions’ event on Tuesday, with other champions from around the country.

She said: “I felt very honoured and privileged to receive an invitation. It was totally unexpected, and I feel extremely proud to be recognised as a champion.”

The six colleagues who attended on behalf of the trust were Duncan Ford, Sally-Anne Phillips, Natalie Kensett, Diane Woodward, Rebecca Holder and Tony James.

Ms Holder, allied health professionals lead for community hospitals, said: “It was an honour.

"The service was extremely poignant with many different voices sharing their experience and giving thanks to a wonderful institution, one which we are all so proud to work in.

"Honestly, it was such a privilege to be there with so many NHS colleagues and volunteers from across the country, I am so grateful.”

Ms Phillips, a mental health nurse, said: “It was an amazing day. The service was very moving. I will never forget the day.”

Teams across the county have also been busy marking the occasion with staff taking part in the ‘NHS Big Tea’ by holding cake sales or tea parties to raise funds for Oxford Health Charity, joined by patients and service-users.

Trust chair, David Walker, director of corporate affairs and company, Secretary Kerry Rogers and chief executive Grant Macdonald, joined the celebrations at a picnic at Warneford Hospital.

Musicians entertained the crowds as part of a series of eight musical events across Oxfordshire.

Highlights included performances by Mary-Lou Review at Witney Community Hospital and Andy Simpson at Abingdon Community Hospital.

Staff enjoyed NHS-themed cakes at Bicester Community Hospital, Townlands Community Hospital and Henley on Thames.

Registered nurse and team leader, Debbie Cricklands, working in the NHS for 27 years, said: “We’ve got a lot to be grateful for with NHS. I love working for the NHS and wouldn’t work anywhere else.”

Receptionists Gigi Gallagher and Caroline Litherland at the Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury, baked and sold dozens of cakes, raising £150.

Ms Litherland said: “We’ve all got to keep the NHS going.”