NHS at 70: the North West marks the milestone

A teenager who underwent more than 60 hours of surgery following the Manchester terror attack has described NHS staff as "the best people in the world".

Freya Lewis, 15, had to learn to walk again after she was caught up in last year's atrocity and said she owes her life to medics at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

Speaking ahead of a service to mark the 70th anniversary of the NHS at Westminster Abbey, where she is due to speak, Freya told the Press Association: "I feel very honoured because this is the kind of thing I usually read about in the newspapers.

"It's a bit crazy I was even chosen to even come here, let alone speak. "I feel like I can show them how much I appreciate them.

"They're the best people in the world. They're very under-appreciated. They basically saved my life."

The teenager, from Holmes Chapel in Cheshire, said the experience had inspired her to think about a career where she could help people, although she ruled medicine out as she is "not good with blood".

Paying tribute to the nurses who cared for her every day, she added: "They were more like friends to me."

The hospital where the NHS was launched 70 years ago today has put on a costume display to mark the occasion.

Trafford General Hospital in Manchester, former Park Hospital, was where the then Health Secretary introduced the National Health Service back in 1948.

Today nurses dressed in the uniforms of their predecessors from each decade since the 1940s.

Granada Reports is doing a series of reports marking the 70th anniversary of the NHS.

Tonight we're looking behind the scenes at the latest hi tech developments at Alder Hey Childrens Hospital in Liverpool.

A new 'innovation hub' uses technology like virtual reality and 3 D printing for treatment.

Iain Hennessey is the Director of Innovation at Alder Hey.