A retired doctor whose father opened the first purpose built medical centre in Barnsley helped celebrate 65 years of the NHS last Friday.

 

Dr Tim Pick, 85, visited Barnsley Hospital with MP Dan Jarvis on Friday to mark the occasion and the pair attended a birthday party with members of staff.

 

His father Norris opened the first purpose-built practice in Barnsley in 1939, what is now the Victoria Medical Centre.

 

"I think I was invited because I'm the oldest doctor in Barnsley," he joked.

 

Dr Pick's father came to Barnsley from Cleckheaton in 1930 and opened a surgery which was run from his home on Victoria Road.

 

He later opened the medical custom-built practice.

Dr Pick qualified in 1952.

 

He worked in various hospitals and completed his national service in which he was an army doctor.

 

He also spent a period working at Barnsley Hospital.

He worked as a locum at his father's practice in 1957 and stayed for a year before going to St Helen's Hospital in Barnsley to do midwifery.

 

He returned to the practice in 1959 as a partner when his father fell ill.

 

Dr Pick retired in 1990 and still lives on Victoria Road in the house where his father originally set up the surgery.

Mr Jarvis visited the hospital's Emergency Department and its new 45-bed acute medical unit and spoke to staff about their jobs.

 

He said: “I was delighted to be able to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the NHS with the amazing staff here in Barnsley, who work together to ensure it delivers the highest standards of health care.

 

“The NHS was founded on the belief that we should look after everyone our society, whatever their income or status. I will work tirelessly within Parliament, as well as with all the staff who make up the NHS team and local people, to ensure that these values remain at the heart of the NHS for the next 65 years.”

 

Steve Wragg, Chairman of Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said it was also a celebration of the hard work of staff at the hospital.