Medical historian Michael Neve guides us through the formation and early years of the NHS, talking to some of the doctors and politicians involved at the time.

We hear how instrumental World War Two was in enabling the NHS's creation and we also learn the origins of the curious phrase that gives this programme its title. The service was completely free until 1952, when charges were imposed for prescriptions, teeth and spectacles.

↗ Originally broadcast 27 August 1982.