July 5 1948 – The NHS is born
When health secretary Aneurin Bevan opened Park Hospital in Manchester, it was the climax of a hugely ambitious plan to bring good healthcare to all. For the first time, hospitals, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, opticians and dentists are brought together under one umbrella organisation to provide services that are free for all at the point of delivery.

The central principles are clear: the health service will be available to all and financed entirely from taxation, which means that people pay into it according to their means.  We the undersigned ask that July 5th is recognised as 'Aneurin Bevan Day' to celebrate the founding of the NHS in the United Kingdom.