I came across some interesting snapshot facts yesterday about how our NHS has grown over the years. Last year we spent £140 billion on the NHS – more than 10 times than was spent on it 60 years ago after taking into account inflation. Employing a staff of 1.7 million it is the fifth biggest employer in the entire World. As the years have passed successive governments of all colours have had to spend more and more as new treatments are discovered, the population grows, lives longer and demand increases. Presently some 30% of our public spending is devoted to the NHS. Even in this Parliament when the government is trying to control public expenditure £8 billion more a year is being committed to the NHS. It treats 1 million patients a day.