This week the National Health Service is 60 years old. As the biggest local employer and the most popular of all our local services I want to pay tribute to all who work for the NHS and all who have previously worked for it. Other countries, especially the United States, look in envy at our system and how it is open to all.

There are challenges, as there were in its infancy and as there will be into the future, but its principles define the character of our nation. What I expect, as a family who uses the local NHS like everyone else, is that I have the best service delivered by the top people, well equipped and meeting all my health needs.

Some people, usually oddball academics, occasionally suggest that we need to scrap the NHS and have a paid system like the USA. What rubbish. I have repeatedly voted for more taxpayers money going into the NHS and I will continue to do so. I led two huge and unprecedented campaigns, one to keep our Accident and Emergency and one to keep Bassetlaw Primary Care Trust, but I have backed other changes and improvements to strengthen our health service.

We need some services local and others at world leading centres. The right mix is crucial and it is the patient’s interest that determines such change.

We have seen off the two attempts at private GP provision in the area, one in Meden Vale and one at Langwith and I am confident we will see off others. I will never forget my father in his last dying days refusing to switch to a private bed and telling his consultant that he had lived on the NHS and he would die on the NHS. It remains strong in my family’s memory.

To celebrate the NHS birthday I am inviting local schools to participate in a birthday card competition, further details from my office 01909 506 200.

For more details on this and other matters please look at my website

Petitioners will be out on Bridge Street this Saturday to demand that our cinema be built. I have a letter from Apollo Cinema Group stating that they are concerned at the recent decisions and that they remain willing to run a cinema as soon as they are instructed to do so. They point out that they have now been waiting six years for this cinema development to progress. The petitioners have my support.

Finally, next Friday in Harworth Village Hall at 7pm I have a meeting for those interested in developing boxing.

On my website:

• Birthday card competition to celebrate NHS at 60
• Are you proud of the NHS at 60? Poll
• Are you proud of your NHS? Petition
• John Mann MP interviews Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Health

External links:

• The main page for 'Proud of the NHS'
• Ask Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Health, your questions
• Help those who care for us and our families by donating

 John Mann MP is not responsible for the content of external links