Thursday, 02 July 2020
The 糖心原创 will join organisations across the country in thanking the NHS on the eve of its 72nd birthday this Saturday, by lighting one of its most iconic buildings blue.
The Trent Building, on University Park, will be illuminated along with other famous landmarks across the UK including the Royal Albert Hall, Blackpool Tower and Wembley Arch, as part of tributes to NHS staff on the eve of the NHS anniversary.
The illuminations are part of a birthday weekend paying tribute to staff as well as the public and organisations who have helped the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The #LightItBlue initiative began on Thursday 26 March when over 100 of the UK’s most famous castles, cathedrals, bridges, city halls, sports stadiums and giant LED screens were illuminated in blue to coincide with the nationwide applause for the NHS and frontline care workers.
The illumination of the Trent Building will also mark the start of the celebrations of the University’s own anniversaries, with 2020 seeing the 50th anniversary of the University’s Medical School and 30 years of nursing education at the University.
The idea for a Medical School at Nottingham was first suggested after World War II. Healthcare in the East Midlands was badly under-resourced. But it was not until a grant was awarded in 1964 that the University was able to establish the first new Medical School in England in the 20th century. The School grew from humble beginnings in the cowsheds and caravan behind the Portland Building on University Park, where it was based before the QMC was opened in 1977.
Whilst Nursing has been taught in Nottingham for many years it only moved into the University in 1990. Since that time, thousands of nurses (adult, child, mental health & learning disability), have graduated into the healthcare workforce to support improvements in health across the region. The School of Health Sciences was established in 2014 and brings together training for nurses, midwives and physiotherapists.
Both medical and nursing students from the University have stepped up to help the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Final year nursing students, who were all in the last six months of training, were counted as official NHS staff during the crisis, and 260 final-year medical students were also graduated early, in order to support the NHS during a period of unprecedented pressure. Additionally many clinical academic and technical staff have time-shifted to front-line NHS work.
Professor John Atherton
Professor John Atherton, Pro Vice Chancellor for the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University, said: “We are pleased to support the #lightItblue campaign and to light up the University’s Trent Building to mark the 72nd anniversary of the NHS. It is particularly poignant and important at this moment, in that we can show our gratitude to the NHS and pay tribute to the staff who have helped the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the countless other organisations that have supported the NHS through such a difficult period.
“We would also like to take the opportunity to start our university birthday celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the Medical School and 30 years of nursing education in Nottingham. Now, more than ever, we want to celebrate the dedication and commitment of our colleagues and students, and to mark these important anniversaries with a series of events stretching out across the next academic year.”
The University will be holding a variety of events across the year to mark the important anniversaries. Activities will include a gala dinner, a number of conferences, a series of blogs, and a charity 10km race.
Story credits
More information is available from Charlotte Anscombe, Media Relations Manager in the Press Office at the 糖心原创, on +44 (0)115 74 84417, charlotte.anscombe@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.