Prime Minister praises Evelina London Children's Hospital as he celebrates NHS 65th birthday

Prime Minister David Cameron praised Evelina London Children’s Hospital today during a visit to celebrate the 65^th anniversary of the NHS.

Meeting children, parents and staff with Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt, Mr Cameron said: “My son was treated right here in this fabulous hospital for much of his life.”

The state-of-the-art children’s hospital, which on Monday 1 July launched its new name to reflect its location at the heart of the capital, also hosted Jeremy Hunt’s keynote address to an audience of hospital staff, senior health figures and the media.

Young patient Liam Islam, 13, from Lewisham, spent time chatting to the two special guests during their visit.

Liam said: “I was so pleased to meet David Cameron and Jeremy Hunt. They were really down to earth and took their time to talk to me. They were very respectful and chatted to me about my interests, and they said they liked my Superman T-shirt!”

Liam’s mum, Ambea, added: “Meeting the Prime Minister and Secretary of State was a great ending to Liam’s stay in hospital. Evelina London is such a special place, all the staff and families are amazing, we feel like we’re part of a big family here and I’m glad such influential people had chance to see this.”

Evelina London security officer Linda Darko was first to greet the guests when they entered the hospital. She said: “The Prime Minister came straight up to me and shook my hand and asked how I was, he was so kind.

“The visit was a great success and I can’t wait to tell my friends and family about it.”