British National Health Service

The British National Health Service (NHS) was created on 5 July 1948 by Clement Attlee's Labour government, under health and housing minister Nye Bevan.

The NHS was, and largely remains, a system of socialized medicine, intended to be "free at the point of delivery" and paid for by taxes. Private medical care remained, and remains, available in the UK.

The NHS continues to provide medical care in the UK. The long-term future of the NHS is a major issue in British politics.

External links

• BBC coverage of NHS 50th anniversary (http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/events/nhs_at_50/special_report/newsid_119000/119803.stm)
• http://www.nhshistory.com/