60th ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE

That this House notes that 5th July 2008 will mark the 60th anniversary of the creation of the National Health Service (NHS); recognises the importance of its creation in helping to tackle one of the five giants highlighted in the Beveridge Report to be slain in post-war Britain; pays tribute to the Labour Government which faced down opposition to the creation of the NHS and introduced a healthcare system which to this day provides a comprehensive service free at the point of delivery; further recognises the many medical advances that have been made in the last 60 years and the significant improvements in public health as a consequence; and looks forward to the NHS continuing to pioneer new treatments and medical services so that people have access to first class healthcare throughout the United Kingdom.