The National Health Service celebrates its 60th birthday this year, and far from showing its age the service has demonstrated in recent years it has the ability to adapt and reform to meet today’s demands. The NHS remains Britain’s most cherished public service and the fairest system of healthcare in the world.

Ten years ago commentators and health experts were asking whether the NHS was a suitable mechanism to provide healthcare in a modern, prosperous nation. Today, thanks to Labour’s investment and reform, the concept of a National Health Service publicly funded through general taxation and free at the point of delivery stands unchallenged.

We have got to this position through massive investment in the NHS backed up by vital reforms to make the service relevant and more accessible to patients. Waiting lists are at the lowest level since records have been kept. The maximum wait on the in-patient list is down from 18 months to six months and by the end of 2008 each and every patient will be treated within 18 weeks of their GP referral.

How do we ensure a patient lead NHS?

In creating the NHS the Labour Government of 1948 wanted to ensure equality of provision and a truly national service replaced the piecemeal provision which existed across the country. Patients in post-war Britain were grateful for what healthcare they received. But 60 years on public expectations are higher and people rightly demand more than a one size fits all service.

While in every other area of their lives – from the service they receive from their bank to the ease with which they can book cinema tickets – people are becoming accustomed to high standards and a more personalised service. It is understandable then, that people have equally high if not higher demands on the services they have even greater reason to value – healthcare, education and other public services. To ensure the NHS remains relevant to and valued by the public we must ensure it keeps pace with public demands.

How do we meet tomorrow’s health challenges?

In the future, health care cannot be just about treating the sick but must be about helping us to live healthily. The alternative will be a future in which the capacity of the NHS to treat everyone simply won't keep pace with the state of the country's health.

Increasingly the health challenges people are facing are brought on by lifestyle choices – alcohol abuse, binge drinking, an unhealthy diet, and smoking are all contributing to demands on the health service that are otherwise avoidable. While vaccination and preventative medicines play an important role in ensuring we stay healthy there is also a clear role for individuals to improve their own lifestyles.

By promoting healthy lifestyle choices to children at a young age we will ensure our young people grow up understanding the importance of a good diet and regular exercise. Through Sure Start we are working with parents to ensure they have the support and information they need to get their children off to the best start in life.

Points to consider:

• How do we change Britain’s relationship with alcohol?
• What role should national and local decision making have in the NHS?
• How do we encourage people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds to live healthier lives?
• How do we ensure NHS staff is fully involved in all aspects of reforming the NHS?