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96-Year NHS Veteran Still Volunteering at Royal Liverpool Hospital
By Drooid · · How we work
A Lifelong NHS Service
Audrey Joughlin, now 96, began her career with the National Health Service (NHS) the year it was founded in 1948. After decades diagnosing disease in histology, she transitioned to a volunteer role in 1994, operating the book-trolley service for patients at Royal Liverpool Hospital. Her continued presence illustrates a personal link between the NHS’s post-war origins and its present-day patient-focused care.
Origins of the NHS
The NHS was created by the Clement Attlee Labour government in the immediate aftermath of World War Two to provide universal health care free at the point of use. Prior to its establishment, medical treatment required payment, limiting access for many citizens.
Audrey Joughlin’s Role Over Eight Decades
Throughout her tenure, Joughlin has witnessed the shift from a fee-based system to a publicly funded service. Her story underscores the enduring commitment of staff and volunteers who have helped sustain the NHS’s founding principle of free health care for all.