"The creation of an NHS free at the point of use, based on clinical need, not the ability to pay is one of our defining achievements as a nation. Few other institutions have done as much as the NHS has done to tackle entrenched disadvantage in Britain and to create a fairer, more equal society.

With the NHS now approaching its sixtieth birthday, the creation of an NHS day would be the perfect way in which to mark this anniversary and to remind ourselves of everything that it has achieved in its 60 years. An NHS day would also provide us with an ideal opportunity for us to celebrate the efforts of the people who work for the NHS today and everyone who has contributed to it over the last 60 years.

If we are to have a new bank holiday then what better cause is there to dedicate it to than our National Health Service?"