To mark 70 years of the NHS two members of staff at Oxford Health attended a private service at Westminster Abbey to celebrate.

Lizzie Coss, clinical development lead with our District Nursing Team at Abingdon Community Hospital and Jo Preston, a physiotherapist, were chosen to attend the special event in London on Thursday 5 July for their excellent contribution to improving the services of the NHS.

The service had a particularly notable testimony from Manchester terror attack survivor Freya Lewis who talked about how she owed her life to the wonderful staff of the NHS.

Lizzie said: “There wasn’t a dry eye in the building, Freya was truly inspirational.”

There was also a moving account from a former nurse who talked about her experience working before and after the beginning of the NHS was formed in 1948 and how proud she was to have been part of it.

Jo Preston, last year’s Staff Recognition Award winner for creating a holistic exercise programme, said: “I feel very honoured to have represented Oxford Health at the event and am grateful for the opportunity. It was a very special and memorable day, which won’t be forgotten”

Lizzie, Januarys Exceptional People Award winner for her success in reducing her team’s vacancy rate, added: “The Gothic architecture of Westminster Abbey was stunning and the paintings, marble statues and stained glass spectacular.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and I wish to thank Oxford Health for nominating me to attend.”

Read more of our NHS70 stories.