Reflecting on 75 years of the NHS

2023 marks 75 years since the birth of the NHS, the National Assistance Act that laid the foundations of the current social care system, and the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks. During this anniversary period, we’ll be reflecting on how far the NHS has come, the challenges it faces today and what the future holds for the health service.

Reflecting on 75 years

The National Health Service began on the 5 July 1948, born out of the recommendations of the Beveridge report of 1942. In 1945, the newly formed Labour government tasked Aneurin Bevan with creating a universal health system. After years of planning, campaigning and patching together varied regional health care provisions, Bevan’s model was put into action. Being free at the point of use, available to all and financed by taxation, the NHS was the first of its kind.

The NHS has evolved over the years as it strives to meet the needs of a growing population with ever-changing needs. And it has faced many challenges. Now – in the aftermath of a global pandemic, and in the midst of economic and workforce crisis – these challenges have, arguably, never been greater.

Explore more of the history, statistics and future plans around the NHS using the articles, online resources and publications featured on this page.

Report: How does the NHS compare to the health care systems of other countries?

Report: How does the NHS compare to the health care systems of other countries?

Our new report found that the NHS is neither a leader nor a laggard when compared to 18 similar countries. Read the report to hear more about the lessons we can hear from other health care systems.

The NHS at 75: a letter to party leaders, kingsfund.org.uk/publications

An open letter to party leaders

We've joined forces with The Health Foundation and Nuffield Trust in a letter to party leaders asking for the upcoming general election to be a breaking point, by ending years of short termism in NHS policy-making.

The NHS then and now: a view from The King’s Fund’s archive

Blog: The NHS then and now

Danielle Jeffries, one of our analysts, has delved into The King's Fund archives to see how the NHS has tackled challenging times in the past. Will history hold solutions to the problems faced today?

75 years of the NHS

Podcast: How does it compare to international health systems?

Listen to Jo Vigor chat with with fellow colleagues from The King’s Fund, Danielle Jefferies and Siva Anandaciva about the work they've done looking at international comparisons of the NHS.

Cogs with graphics of people and service users

Free online course: The NHS explained

This free four-week course will help you understand the what makes up the health care system in England.

Related episodes from our podcast

A graphic reflecting the importance of a diverse workforce, collaboration and belonging

Acting with intent: Karen Bonner on diversity and belonging in the NHS

How can we ensure that health and care staff from all backgrounds feel respected, valued and listened to at work? Siva Anandaciva sits down with Karen Bonner, Chief Nurse, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.

An image of three people, including someone from the health and care system, moving different shapes of blocks, symbolising a relationship between community and the health care system

Reimagining the welfare state: health and community with Hilary Cottam OBE

Anna Charles speaks to Hilary Cottam OBE about the importance of building new systems that are equipped to deal with the health challenges of today.

Image of four different managers, with icons around them to symbolise the varied roles they do: communications, support, graphs etc.

NHS managers: trust, compassion and changing the narrative

Is the NHS really full of ‘overpaid pen-pushers’? Jo Vigor talks to Dr Seema Srivastava, Emma Challans-Rasool and Rachel Burnham about the critical role of NHS managers and what it means to bring your humanity to work.

Related content

The NHS budget and how it has changed over time

Data visualisation

The NHS budget and how it has changed

What is the NHS budget and how is it funded? Find out in our nutshell.

Key facts and figures about the NHS

Data visualisation

Key facts and figures about the NHS

What's the NHS annual budget? How many doctors and nurses are there? What's the cost of an operation? We answer some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about the NHS.

The rise and decline of the NHS in England 2000–20: How political failure led to the crisis in the NHS and social care

Multi-year funding increases and reforms led to improvements in NHS performance between 2000 and 2010, but performance has declined since 2010 as a result of much lower funding increases, limited funds for capital investment, and neglect of workforce planning.

Completed project

The NHS at 70

The National Health Service turns 70 on 5 July 2018. To commemorate this anniversary, we will be exploring the relationship between the public and the NHS, and will also be looking back at the history of the NHS and engaging in discussion about its future.

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‘Addiction to short-termism’ put NHS future at risk, warn think tanks

As the NHS turns 75, three major health and care research institutes have issued a stark warning that continued political short-termism will leave the NHS ‘unlikely to reach it’s centenary’.

The NHS at 75: a letter to party leaders

As the NHS turns 75, the Chief Executives of the Health Foundation, Nuffield Trust and The King’s Fund have written to the leaders of the three largest political parties in England.

Time for local NHS leaders to take a first step in tackling poverty: pay staff the real Living Wage

Tackling poverty is core business, and the NHS can start by addressing low pay in its own workforce, as many other public services have.

The obligation to dissent: Richard Murray on making an impact on health and care

The obligation to dissent: Richard Murray on making an impact on health and care

What is it like being the Chief Executive of The King’s Fund? Helen McKenna spoke with Richard Murray about his first year in the job, our new strategy and his vision for the health and care system.