Life expectancy

When the NHS was founded in 1948, the life expectancy for men was 66, and for women, 71. Today those figures are 77.2 and 81.5.

Deaths

Over the past 60 years, the proportion of all deaths caused by cancer has risen, from 16.9 to 27%.

Those caused by heart disease have fallen from 35.4 to 34.6%; those by stroke have fallen from 11.5 to 9.6%; those by bronchitis and other respiratory diseases have fallen from 10.4 to 4.6%, and those from tuberculosis from 4.7 to 0.7%.

Childbirth

In 1948 there were 86 deaths per 100,000 total live births. Sixty years later there are just 6.2.

Infant mortality

When the NHS was born, there were 34.5 deaths for every 1,000 live births. Today there are just five.

Vaccinations

The average child in 1948 would receive just two routine vaccinations: smallpox and diphtheria.

By 2008 that list had grown to seven: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, whooping cough, influenza, MMR and meningitis C.

Smoking

In 1948, 65% of Britain's male population smoked. By 2008 that number had dropped to just 25%. Among women, the figure has fallen from 41 to 22%.

Budget

Bevan's creation had a total budget of £280m for the UK, compared to £105bn for today.

Drug budget

In 1948, £31.7m was allocated to spend on drugs. Today that figure tops £11bn.

Prescriptions

Sixty years ago, prescriptions were free. Today they cost £7.10.

Staff

The NHS was launched with a hospital staff of 68,013, not including doctors. In 2008 the NHS now employs more than 376,730 nurses, and thousands more doctors, healthcare assistants and ancillary staff.

GPs

In 1950 there were approximately 21,450 GPs in Britain. By last year that number had risen to 33,360.

Cost per head

In 1948 the annual cost of the NHS per head, per lifetime, was £200. Now, that figure has risen by more than 800% to £1,700.

Patients

The NHS now sees and treats more patients than ever. Last year, on an average day, 50,000 people were seen in A&E alone.