BORN ON THE 5TH OF JULY

One of the first babies delivered under the NHS, Madeline became a nurse .. & thanks beloved health service for saving her life

- VIVIENNE AITKEN

A FORMER nurse who was born on the same day as the health service has spoken of her love of the NHS after it saved her life. 

Madeline Brockett was born on July 5, 1948, as the health service was brought into being and spent her whole career in nursing before retiring in 2007.

After a lifetime of service the NHS saved Madeline’s life when she had a near-fatal heart attack three years ago.

Now as she celebrates her own birthday and the 75th anniversary of the NHS today, Madeline has called

on politicians of all parties to unite to save her beloved service.

She told the Daily Record: “They have got to increase the numbers of doctors and nurses.

“There are not enough to cope, we definitely need more people.

“Junior doctors are working really hard on call with hardly any sleep and then in the morning still there for consultants to do their ward rounds and get their orders. It is a hard job.”

When Madeline’s parents Nancy and Peter Harris welcomed their baby daughter into the world they were among the first to do so under a free health service.

Madeline was the Harris’s first born child, but unlike other babies born in Scotland before that date there was no charge formum and dad.