TIMELINE-The National Health Service

(Reuters) - The government published a draft constitution for the National Health Service in England earlier this week, ahead of the 60th anniversary of the creation of the NHS on Saturday.

Here is a chronology of the NHS:

1948 - The NHS was established by the post-war Labour government on July 5 out of a long-held ideal that good health care should be available to all, regardless of wealth.

1952 - Prescription charges are introduced of one shilling (five pence). A flat rate of a pound for ordinary dental treatment is also brought in.

1954 - A smoking-cancer link is established.

1961 - The contraceptive pill is made widely available and is hailed as a 20th century breakthrough. Between 1962 and 1969, the number of women taking the Pill will rise dramatically, from approximately 50,000 to 1 million.

1967 - The Abortion Act is introduced and passed on a free vote, becoming law on April 27, 1968.

-- This new act makes abortion legal up to 28 weeks if carried out by a registered physician and if two other doctors agree that the termination is in the best interests of the woman. In 1990, the time limit is lowered to 24 weeks.

1968 - A 45-year-old man becomes the first Briton to have a heart transplant. Surgeon Donald Ross carries out the operation at the National Heart Hospital in Marylebone, London.