Doctors, nurses and administrative staff at DBTH have been helping themselves to a free hot drink and sweet treat to start the week (Monday 5 July), as the Health Service marks 73 years of service as well as the ‘NHS Big Tea’
The National Health Service, known to all as simply the ‘NHS’, was launched by the then Minister of Health within the post-war government, Aneurin Bevan, at the Park Hospital in Manchester. Primarily funded by the government from general taxation (plus a small amount from National Insurance contributions), the service remains, as it was upon its foundation, free at the point of use.
Getting into the birthday spirit, and with special thanks to Trust caterers Sodexo, each and every staff member across Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Bassetlaw Hospital and Montagu Hospital was entitled to a free cup of tea, as well as the choice of a cupcake, donut, brownie, tray bake or cookie. External clinics also received a special delivery which consisting of a hamper of break time goodies.
Suzy Brain England OBE, Chair of DBTH, said: “Today was a fabulous opportunity for us to show a small token of appreciation for our colleagues across DBTH, whilst at the same time celebrating the NHS 73rd birthday. Throughout the past number of months we have had to depend upon the health service, and we wanted to take a few moments to say ‘thank you’ to our wonderful teams.”
With special pop-ups stalls setup within the Trust’s three hospital sites, colleagues were able to come along and pick out their treat, our instead special deliveries took place throughout the day to wards and services who were busy tending to patients.
The tray bakes and cupcakes, which were largely given out at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, were made by Jimmy Piggs Café in Doncaster, following a marathon baking session during which more than 4,000 buns were crafted, iced and sprinkled.
The Trust also worked with Morrison’s in Doncaster, Retford, Worksop and Barnsley, with a range of confectionary delivered on site and to external clinics around the town, and handed out to colleagues.
Suzy continues: “I want to thank everyone for their efforts in supporting our very first ‘NHS Big Tea’. With over 6,600 members of staff, there were certainly a lot of mouths to feed, and a huge amount of work has gone into making today happen. The entire endeavour was sponsored by Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Charity – with many donations coming in throughout the day. You can also get involved and, for the price of a cup of tea, help us go above and beyond for our patients.”
Throughout the day, a number of local cafes also got involved in the NHS Big Tea in support of DBTH Charity, donating a small portion of the price of a cuppa’. These businesses were: Jimmy Piggs Coffee House, Coffee Corner, Annie’s Café, The Leaky Teacup, The Bean Scene, So Good It Yurts, Classic Café at Yorkshire Caravans, No 9, Mooreish Delights, The Chase Tearooms, Meet and Eat, The Old School Tearooms, The Café in Sherwood Forest and Pekish Café.
Other corporate partners also got involved throughout the day, such as Albemarle Homes and Go Green who held their own tea party at home, while The Tea Experience has donated a hamper worth over £200 which will be gifted to one lucky team within the Trust. .
If you wish to donate Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Charity by heading to: https://www.emagiving.com/campaign/visual/doncaster-big-tea
