The woman who has worked for the NHS since it was founded

A woman who has worked for the NHS since it was formed is still helping out in hospitals nearly 80 years later.

Audrey Joughlin, 96, started working for the health service in 1948, and has been volunteering at the Royal Liverpool Hospital since 1994.

During her career, she diagnosed diseases, but now gives her time running the book trolley service for patients.

"I always said I want to die before I stop living. I exist quite a lot for the rest of the week, but today I live, because I can do this and I know I'm appreciated," Audrey told the BBC.

The NHS was planned and founded by the Clement Attlee Labour government in the immediate aftermath of World War Two, and aimed to provide universal health care that was free at the point of use.

"Before then if you were ill you had to call a doctor and you had to be able to pay," said Audrey, who worked in health care before the NHS was created.

"Now all of a sudden, if you were ill somebody would come and see you. All of a sudden there it was, free. It was wonderful."

Audrey worked in histology, which involved examining tissues to check for disease or infection.

"It was very interesting. I just loved my job," she said.

Now, she is part of the team of volunteers run by co-ordinator Debbie Grimes.

"She's our queen," Grimes said.

"Everybody calls her that.

"She keeps threatening to leave and we say, 'No, you can't go!'

"She's absolutely amazing."

Lead voluntary services manager Emily Naylor said Audrey's dedication never faltered.

"We're constantly asking her to take a break and have a minute, but she just will not have it. I don't think she'd have it any other way," she said.

At a surprise celebration in her honour, Emily thanked Audrey for her eight decades of service.

"The commitment that you have provided this NHS from day one, in fact prior to day one, for 80 years, is remarkable," she told her.

"Long may it continue. You're wonderful."

Across England alone, around 70,000 NHS volunteers provide an estimated six million hours of support every year.

Audrey's daughter, Aileen Hodgson, said: "Everyone seems to love her and it definitely keeps her going, too."

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