This book is published to mark the 50th anniversary of the NHS. It traces chronologically the major achievements and events in medicine, nursing, hospital development, primary health care and health management. The introductory chapter describes the health services in 1948. The next five chapters each cover a decade, and begin with a chronology of events both in the NHS and in national life. In each decade, medical progress is considered first, then the developments in general practice and primary health care and the hospital service. Lastly, changes at an organisational and managerial level are discussed.