In 1948, the newly founded NHS served a population of over 48 million, and in its first year, it saw over 13 million people register with a GP, many for the first time. Healthcare demand was high, but services were relatively limited and focused on treating infectious diseases and war-related injuries. The budget was around £437 million, equivalent to roughly £14 billion in today’s money (according to the Bank of England inflation calculator).

Its services focused on basic hospital care, infectious disease control, and war-related injuries.

By 2025, the NHS supports a population of over 69 million, and handles an estimated 600 million patient contacts annually, equivalent to an estimated 1.7 million interactions every day across GP practices, hospitals, community services, NHS 111, and ambulance care. The scale and complexity of care have grown dramatically, reflecting not only population growth but also advances in medicine, longer life expectancy, and broader health needs. By 2025/26, the NHS England revenue funding alone is projected to reach £205-£206 billion.

Today, the NHS stands as the largest employer in the UK, with around 1.5 million staff working across

hospitals, GP surgeries, community services, and support roles. That’s nearly 1 in every 11 workers in England,

a testament to the scale and reach of a system designed to care for everyone, every day. From paramedics

and nurses to planners and porters, this vast workforce embodies the founding principle of care based on

need, not ability to pay.

Today, the NHS remains both a national treasure and a shared responsibility.