A WOMAN who was the first baby to be born on the NHS has unveiled a new train to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the health service.

Aneira Thomas was born in the Amman Valley Hospital at one minute past midnight on July 5, 1948, which made her the first NHS baby to be born.

To celebrate that, she is named after Aneurin Bevan, the Welsh politician who was instrumental in the creation of the NHS.

Today – Tuesday, July 4 – Aneira travelled from her Swansea home to Newport to unveil a new Great Western Railway train.

The Intercity Express Train 800005 is called Aneurin Bevan after the politician and founder of the NHS. It was held in Newport as that is the closest station GWR calls at to Aneurin Bevan’s birthplace Tredegar and constituency of Ebbw Vale.

South Wales Guardian: Aneira Thomas was born in Amman Valley Hospital, becoming the first baby born on the NHS. Today,

Aneira – who worked in the NHS as a mental health nurse and is the author of best-seller Hold on Edna – said: “It is such an honour for the 75th anniversary of our NHS to have a train named Aneurin Bevan by GWR. What better compliment to the legacy left to us by the founder of the National Health Service and also the GWR Medical Fund in Swindon, which played a crucial role in getting the wheels in motion.

“The train will forever be a reminder of the great man and the National Health Service that delivers with such skill, care and compassion. Happy 75th birthday NHS, thank you GWR.”

Eluned Morgan MS, Welsh Government’s minister for health and social services, said: “Our NHS is cherished by everyone in Wales, and we are particularly proud that it was created by a Welshman. So, naming this train after Aneurin Bevan is a fitting tribute to the NHS and a great way to celebrate its 75th anniversary in Wales.”

After the ceremony, the Aneurin Bevan train went to London Paddington via Swindon to acknowledge the role that Swindon’s railway industry played in the formation of the NHS.

The Great Western Railway Medical Fund Society (MFS) was formed in 1847 with money raised by deductions from wages of colleagues at the GWR works in Swindon and this allowed them to develop facilities over the following 100 years including washing baths, doctors and dental surgeries. Aneurin Bevan is said to have visited the facilities and said: “There it was, a complete health service. All we had to do was to expand it to embrace the whole country!”

Aneira Thomas will be returning to Amman Valley Hospital on Saturday, July 8 to open an afternoon tea event to celebrate the 75th birthday of the NHS.