Fifty years ago, on 5th July 1948, the National Health Service was born. In 1998 - its Anniversary year - it is time to celebrate, reflect and look forward to the future of a national institution which has touched the life of millions over the last five decades.

Join the 50th Anniversary celebrations by sending your friends, family and colleagues an exclusive NHS50 e-card from our virtual photographic exhibition. You can use the on-line post office or choose any photo which has the 'send photo' icon beneath it.

View the photographic exhibition 'NHS Now...Towards the Future' where you can see images of the NHS taken by photographers from one of the UK's leading agencies - Network Photographers. Our virtual gallery features photographs of the NHS which capture both the ordinary and the dramatic.

To find out what's planned across the country to celebrate 5 July access our searchable database of events - at the latest count we had over 1,000 entries but more and more are added daily so if you want to find out what's happening in your area, check it out. You can also find out what national activities are in the pipeline by clicking here.

The All our tomorrows Conference (1 - 3 July 1998) is a unique conference for a unique time - celebrating 50 years of the NHS but focusing on forward thinking to prepare for the future. Find out about it and have your chance to join in the debate about the future of the NHS.

All the regular features are still here, from the history of the NHS to the NHS of tomorrow, careers and training to the global health perspective, the Government's round-the-clock health advice initiative, NHS Direct, to the A to Z of the NHS, and much much more.

Dr Harry is always in to offer web advice in our healthy living section, and if you can't find what you're looking for in his pages, there are plenty of other areas which will point you in the right direction.

With more than 500 pages to browse through, this site covers just about everything you might expect in the NHS 50th anniversary year - you can use the search button or just take a leisurely tour.

If you have any problems email the editor@nhs50.nhs.uk.