The National Health Service celebrates its 50th birthday

The National Health Service (NHS) was born on 5 July 1948, after a prolonged and difficult labour, and in 1949 it cost the Treasury all of $433 million, or 3.5% of Britain's gross domestic product. In 1997/98 it cost the Treasury $44203 million, 5.6% of gross domestic product, and on 5 July this year it celebrates its 50th anniversary with parades, speeches, television programmes, symposia, much nostalgia and a service of thanksgiving in Westminster Abbey.