When the National Health Service (NHS) turned 70 in July, the University offered its congratulations to the NHS and also marked the role we have played in its development.

Since the recruitment of our first medical students in 1971, we have trained thousands of doctors, and over the past four decades, researchers at Southampton have made a significant impact on the treatment of a range of conditions ranging from allergies to strokes. Our research is also working against the threat of resistance to antibiotics.

Most recently, our expertise and work in cancer research led to the launch of the Centre for Cancer Immunology earlier this year, which brings together world-leading researchers from across disciplines to conduct clinical trials, explore new areas and develop life-saving drugs.

Collaborative working and partnership with the NHS have been at the heart of all these developments. As one of the leading national centres for clinical research, Southampton is at the forefront of new technology and treatments and recruits large numbers of patients for clinical trials. As the NHS heads into its eighth decade, and scientific advances make many new treatments possible, the University’s partnership with the NHS will continue to be of enormous importance.

Our continuing cultivation of people’s skills and talents, together with the provision of excellence in education and research, will contribute to the evolution of the NHS in the decades to come.

Find out more information and read more of our NHS stories.