The 50th Anniversary of the NHS is a chance for everybody to look back on the contribution made by the health service since 1948 - and for the service itself to promote better health and involve people more in the way it plans for the next 50 years.

Overall, it is an opportunity to re-affirm the founding principles of the NHS, and to further the core aims of our National Health Service.

With these guiding principles in mind, a range of national and regional events are set to take place during the anniversary year. Find out in these pages what we've planned for 1998 and how you can get involved.

As more and more events around the country take shape, we'll put them on-line - so don't forget to come back and check regularly to find out what's happening in your area. In the meantime why not email with details of the event you're organising? Visit our regional events database to find out the sort of information we're looking for.

Or why not browse through our birthday congratulations card - you never know who you might find!