2008 marked the 60th anniversary of the formation of the National Health Service and gave people across Bristol the chance to celebrate the achievements that have been made since healthcare became free at the point of delivery for all.

New health services were formed throughout the year and even more planned and a series of controversial reviews were launched to determine the future of other elements of health care in the Bristol area.

But 2009 looks set to be an even bigger year for health in the city with the Bristol Health Service's Plan heading into full swing with a range of building projects that will change the face of healthcare provision.

2008 was due to start with all breast cancer services being moved into St Michael's, but a group of campaigners felt the decision had been taken without appropriate consultation and forced a review of services, which kicked off in April. The project is due to be renewed later this month.

Anthony Marsh took over as chief executive at Great Western Ambulance Service and was charged with turning around its performance.

An air ambulance service was launched to cover the Bristol area for the first time.

The Great Western Air Ambulance, based at Filton Airport, was launched on June 2 and the Post launched the Sky's The Limit appeal to help raise the £1.3 million a year needed to run the service.

After years of fundraising a new centre was opened for people with multiple sclerosis in a converted laboratory block on the Frenchay Hospital site December.

The world's biggest blood centre opened in Filton, to process 600,000 units of blood every year and providing blood to 90 hospitals across southern England.

Hospitals in the Bristol area started winning the war against superbugs in 2008, with all trusts seeing a drop in the number of infections. North Bristol NHS Trust saw the biggest improvement in the number of people suffering with Clostridium Difficile and MRSA.

Waiting times for hospital appointments dropped, as all health trusts in the city reached the target of 18 weeks six months early.

And people were given the option to choose to attend any hospital in the country for treatment from April 1, forcing health trusts to compete for patients.

The independent sector treatment centre at Emersons Green, which had sparked a high court battle when Save Frenchay Hospital campaigners challenged the level of public consultation, was given the go-ahead.

Looking ahead, the Bristol Heart Institute is due to open its doors in May, bringing all adult cardiac services together under one roof and providing a specialist centre for people across the region.

It is expected that a decision will be made this month about which private finance initiative bidder will lead the project to redevelop Southmead Hospital with work hoped to start on the site by October, if all goes smoothly with the planning application.

The £19 million refurbishment of Cossham Hospital is also expected to start later in the year, providing additional services for patients in the Kingswood area, including a birth centre, minor injuries service and additional outpatient clinics.

Work should begin on the long-awaited South Bristol Community Hospital at Hengrove Park in spring or summer this year when health trusts and the Department of Health give the project full approval.

Building work will continue at community health centres around the area, including Yate and Eastville as part of plans to bring healthcare closer to home.