I doubt very much whether families up and down the country will actually be organising parties to celebrate this important milestone but I am sure that over the next few days, many of us will pause for thought and remember when the NHS has been there for us – whether it was the birth of a child or grandchild or the care given to a loved-one.

The reason that so many of us cherish the NHS is that it doesn't matter who you are, where you live or how healthy your bank balance is – if you are poorly the NHS is there for you and provides the best possible care.

That's why people are so passionate about preserving NHS services. Since the start of the Fit for the Future shake-up of healthcare in West Sussex, communities have done all they can to demonstrate just how valued and needed their local services are. They are prepared to fight to prevent the downgrading of their local NHS hospital.

I've often said that the jewel in Horsham's crown is our much-loved Horsham Hospital. Easily accessible to local people, it provides diagnostic services – meaning patients needn't travel to larger hospitals and it enables often elderly patients to recuperate close to their homes and families.

It's staffed by passionate and caring people and is boosted by its League of Friends – local people who volunteer their time, money and enthusiasm.

In fact, it's the staff and volunteers who are at the heart of the NHS – in often challenging circumstances they provide care and support to people when they most need it.

That's not to say that the NHS is not without its problems – I know many readers are struggling to find a local NHS dentist and my postbag regularly contains letters from people who have cause to complain about care or treatment received at an NHS hospital.

Whilst these often upsetting cases need to be investigated and health authorities need to use the findings to continually improve services, we must remember that for every complaint there are many, many more satisfied patients and uplifting success stories.

So, when we think about the NHS, Christina and I remember that all five of our children were born in NHS hospitals. Indeed, two of them owe the NHS their lives.

Everyone's story will be different but all that remains for me to say is thank you, NHS, and Happy Birthday!