From running one of the first NHS hospitals to creating new health facilities, one Suffolk family is proud of its long connection with the health service. 

Sarah Clarke is the third generation of her family to work for the NHS which marks its 75th birthday today.

Her grandparents, Muriel and Allan Chinn, ran St Mary’s Hospital in Tattingstone, Suffolk, which had been an old workhouse before it was taken over by the NHS in 1948. 

The historic building was built in 1765 as a house of industry and underwent an extensive revamp.

Mr Chinn, who was initially known as the master, received the title of the hospital’s secretary. 

Read more: Ipswich nurse meets Princess Kate at NHS 75th birthday party

Read more: Ipswich hospital chief reflects on how 75 years of NHS

Read more: Students share moment they chose to join NHS

Ipswich Star: Mrs Chinn outside the St Mary's Hospital, TEWVMrs Chinn outside the St Mary's Hospital, TEWV (Image: TEWV)

Under the NHS, new windows and central heating were installed, the roof was retiled, bedrooms were renovated, and a new kitchen was built.

Locals, however, still viewed it with suspicion. 

Ipswich Star: St Mary's nursing team, TEWVSt Mary's nursing team, TEWV (Image: TEWV)

Ms Clarke’s grandmother told a local paper at the time: "People still regard it as a workhouse. We want to prove to them this is not so. It has altered beyond recognition. 

Ipswich Star: Princess Alice visit to St Mary's, TEWVPrincess Alice visit to St Mary's, TEWV (Image: TEWV)

"At one time people were virtually prisoners. There were only two fires, and people slept in attics with no heating. We now have central heating and an up-to-date kitchen." 

Living on site was a condition for Mrs and Mr Chinn’s appointment at St Mary’s, which meant Ms Clarke’s father, Pip Chinn, was raised in the hospital. 

Ipswich Star: Pip and his mother, TEWVPip and his mother, TEWV (Image: TEWV)

Under the care of the NHS and the Chinns, the historic building flourished to become a 120-bed facility, offering support for older people. 

Pip then went on to train at the RAF School for physiotherapy, where he met Ms Clarke’s mum, Coralie, who was also a trainee physiotherapist.

They both spent time working for the NHS. 

Ipswich Star: Pip and Coralie Chinn at Buckingham Palace to mark Coralie's 40 years of service for NHS, TEWVPip and Coralie Chinn at Buckingham Palace to mark Coralie's 40 years of service for NHS, TEWV (Image: TEWV)

Sarah then became the latest member of the family to work in the NHS when she moved from Suffolk to North Yorkshire to take her first job with South Tees Community Trust in public health promotion. 

Two years later, she became a health action zone coordinator in Middlesbrough, working with the community and establishing projects to tackle health inequalities.  

Ipswich Star: Sarah Clarke has helped to plan one of the most modern facilities, Foss Park Hospital in York, TEWVSarah Clarke has helped to plan one of the most modern facilities, Foss Park Hospital in York, TEWV (Image: TEWV)

The 48-year-old woman is now the head of capital investment for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust and helped to plan one of the most modern facilities, Foss Park Hospital in York. 

She said: “Back in my grandparent’s day, they would never have believed the things we do now.

"From looking after people in attics to the scientific advances that make preventive medicine possible today.

“The change over 75 years has been incredible. I feel so lucky that I have both benefitted from the help of the NHS, and that I am able to help in my own way too.”