(* Chris with Ipswich Borough Councillors Mary Blake (second left) and David Ellesmere (far left)

Dear constituent

I was recently joined by the hundreds of people on the Cornhill in Ipswich town centre to celebrate the 60th birthday of one of Britain's greatest ever achievements - the NHS. That so many people wanted to sign our card is testament to how much the NHS means to our town.

I believe that the NHS is one of Britain's proudest ever achievements and it is only right to honour its 60th anniversary by paying tribute to all of they loyal and hardworking staff who keep us healthy, day-in-day-out.

The NHS has changed a lot during its 60 years. The publication of the Darzi Review last month - the most comprehensive review of the NHS in decades - reflects the renewed emphasis on a more personalised level of care, tailored to the specific needs of families and committed to preventing illness, as well as curing it.

To those of you who got a chance to sign our card, thank you. To those of you who weren't able to, but who still want to show your support to all the fantastic NHS staff across our town, you can do one of two things:

1. Leave a message of support or describe a fond memory of the NHS from your own experience by commenting below.
2. Pledge your support online at http://www.labour.org.uk/proud/home

Please join me in showing support for the NHS today.

Best wishes

Chris Mole MP