Iconic sites and landmarks across the capital including the London Eye, BT Tower and the Shard will be turning blue to mark the NHS turning 75 this summer.

On the evening of 5 July 2023 – 75 years to the day since NHS England was founded – London will be lighting up blue to commemorate the history of our health service and recognise the health workers who have made it what it is, past and present.

The public are encouraged to take and share their photos on social media using the hashtags; #LightUpBlue and #NHS75.

The NHS was established on 5 July 1948 as the first universal health system to be available to all, free at the point of delivery, and has since evolved to continue to provide world-class health care to all.

Along with many NHS sites, landmarks such as London’s City Hall, the House of Commons and the Department of Health and Social Care will also be turning blue to show unity and support for the NHS. A full list of sites taking part in the Light Up Blue celebrations across the country can be viewed on NHS 75 Light Up Blue.

The NHS in London is encouraging as many buildings, historic monuments and other high profile sites across the city to get involved and light up blue to celebrate the milestone.

Dr Chris Streather, Medical Director for NHS London said: “As the NHS turns 75 this year, we are proud to have the support of so many iconic landmarks across London including, The London Eye, ExCeL London and HMS Belfast among many others.
“Our NHS staff in the capital are our greatest asset, which has been demonstrated time and time again throughout challenging periods, of course including the pandemic in which we saw staff go above and beyond to keep Londoners safe as well as during winter pressures.
“The NHS continues to develop to meet the evolving needs of our communities and I am looking forward to an even more inspiring future.
“It will be incredible to see our city Light Up Blue on the 75th anniversary and I encourage Londoners to get involved, share their photos and tag us on social media.”

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The NHS is the backbone of our society, a service that makes a real and lasting difference to our lives every day and an example to the world of the importance of free healthcare for all.
“London owes the NHS a huge debt of gratitude for the remarkable way that our healthcare workers go above and beyond to help their communities, in particular the incredible efforts they made to help save the lives of Londoners during the pandemic.
“I am immensely proud that City Hall will light up in blue to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the NHS, paying tribute to the amazing work of healthcare workers in London and across the country, as we continue to build a better and fairer London for everyone.”