Robot Doctors and Rockets – Welsh children’s vision for the future NHS

The competition, organised by the Welsh Government, asked primary school children across Wales to depict what they think the NHS in Wales will look like on its 100th birthday in 2048.

Cerith Hiorns, aged nine, who is a Year 4 pupil at Ysgol Gymraeg Llangennech in Llanelli, has won the 7-9 age category for his vision of a hospital with jet planes and rockets.

While, Cari Megan Lloyd, aged 11, a Year 6 pupil at Ysgol Dolgarrog, in Llanrwst, took the winning place for the 10-11 age category for her depiction of a robot doctor alongside the slogan “people matter”.

The two winners were today congratulated by Health Secretary Vaughan Gething during a visit to the Royal Mint, where they got to strike a special coin from the Royal Mint’s Great British Coin Hunt A to Z Collection, with an N for NHS.

During the visit the pupils were also joined by Aneira Thomas, the first baby born in the NHS, for a tour of the Royal Mint.

Health Secretary, Vaughan Gething said:

“I had great fun going through the entries for our NHS 70 drawing competition and getting an insight into what today’s children think the health service will look like when they are adults. With jet planes, space rockets and robot doctors, they certainly have some exciting ideas for the next twenty years!

“It wasn’t easy picking the winners and Cerith and Cari should be very proud of their achievement.”

Aneira Thomas said:

“I was delighted to meet Cerith and Cari and to see their visions of what the NHS will look like in 30 years’ time. I was fortunate to have been born in the first few minutes of 5 July 1948 at the start of the NHS. I have seen many changes and improvements in the NHS throughout my life and career and it was a delight to meet Cerith and Cari to talk about those changes.”

Anne Jessopp, Chief Executive of The Royal Mint, which is based in Llantrisant in Cwm Taf Health Board said

“The ‘N’ for NHS has proved a very popular choice with the public as a Great British Coin Hunt 10p theme. The NHS is a well-respected national institution – most Britons will come into contact with it at some time in their lives, so it was a natural choice. Congratulations to both Cerith and Cari on winning this competition.”

In all, ten pictures were selected for special praise across the whole of Wales. The winners have been invited to join a service of thanksgiving to celebrate NHS70 at Llandaff Cathedral on the 4 July, where they will be presented with a special coin from The Royal Mint’s Great British Coin Hunt A to Z Collection, an N for NHS, by a special guest.