Margaret became a patient at the ROH soon after the creation of the NHS, after she was knocked over by a taxi and broke her femur in 1949.

Her mother insisted she was taken to the specialist Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (then based on Broad Street), and vividly remembers the doctor smoking throughout the whole appointment.

Margaret was admitted to the ROH for six months, and was an inpatient over Christmas time. “I remember on Christmas Day, a big turkey was wheeled onto the ward and the surgeons carved it up for lunch! During my time at the ROH all the children had lessons in the fresh air on the balcony, and I truly made some friends for life there. Many of the other children on the ward had TB in the spine, and travelled away from their families to be treated at the Royal Orthopaedic.”

In 2003, Margaret returned to the ROH to have a hip replacement and hydrotherapy treatment. After this, Margaret decided to volunteer to give back to the hospital, and supported the pre-op team for 13 years in the 2000s: “The pre-op office used to be based on the balcony – right by the old ward I spent time in as a child! It brought back a lot of memories and was nice to see. I’m so grateful for everything the ROH has done for me, it’s really thanks to the wonderful staff that I can walk properly."

Over the last 75 years the NHS and the ROH have seen many changes. Margaret said “It’s the uniforms I remember! The fancy buckled belts, the head dresses and the starched collars – incredibly ornate. And everyone was always on best behaviour when the matron came around!”

"This 75th Anniversary marks a point where we can honour our history, celebrate our accomplishments and look with hope to the future. Thank you to each and every one of the team who make the ROH amazing." - Jo Williams, Chief Executive.