Baby born on same day as NHS in 1948

Jul 4 2008 By Gurdip Thandi

A HOSPITAL’S first NHS baby was celebrating her diamond birthday today – on the same date as Britain’s pioneering free service.

Valerie Jerrison came into the world at the former Bloxwich Maternity Hospital on July 5, 1948.

Walsall teaching Primary Care Trust invited the grandmotrher to a celebration where they presented her with a bouquet of flowers.

When she was born, Valerie’s mother was presented with a stainless steel cup which was engraved with ‘Presented by the Mayor and Mayoress of Walsall (Councillor and Mrs F. W. Evans) to Valerie Johnson, who was born in the Borough on the 5th July, 1948. The date when the Health Services Act 1948 came into operation.’

Paul Jennings, chief executive of Walsall tPCT, said: “We are celebrating the 60th birthday of the NHS with a number of events this week. 

“I am delighted that we have located the first person ever to be born into the care of the NHS in Walsall and thrilled that Valerie is joining us in marking this important occasion.”

Valerie, a lifelong resident of Walsall, has had two daughters and a son in the same hospital.

Valerie, now retired, has worked at Co-op pork factory, Littlewoods and Bloxwich Memorial Centre.

When asked about her experiences of the NHS she said: “It had been consistently good, with service always being of a high standard, with increased speed in service and dramatic changes in the technology used within hospitals.”