The early years
The NHS faced a difficult birth, taking on a waiting list of more than 476,000 new patients, amid serious staff shortages.
Go to our briefing: In the beginning
Niall Dickson on the NHS at 60
The NHS is the fairest and most cost-effective health system in the world, according to Niall Dickson, Chief Executive of The King's Fund.
Go to press release
The NHS: Time to retire or time to renew?
A debate chaired by John Humphreys, with the motion supported by Luke Johnson and Karol Sikora and opposed by Paul Corrigan and Polly Toynbee. Video highlights are now available.
More on the debate
Explore the history of the NHS
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Then and now
In 1948, 5.4 per cent of births were 'illegitimate'. Today, 45 per cent of all births are to unmarried women.
More facts on what's changed
