Launched last week at Elder Park Primary in Glasgow, the contest encourages youngsters to take a leap through time to what Scotland’s healthcare services could look like in 2068.

The competition, named “My NHS”, is part of this year’s programme of national and local activities celebrating the 60th anniversary of the NHS in Scotland.

Open to pupils in P6 through to S2, the competition invites entries of imaginative stories, poems or factual essays and will be judged on pupils’ understanding of healthcare issues and creativity.

The competition has been developed in partnership with Learning and Teaching Scotland, and a judging panel will select two winners who will each be given a prize of a Nintendo Wii and tickets to a Scotland football match. The winners will also secure prizes for their schools, including exclusive coaching sessions with the Scottish Football Association.

The deadline for entries is October 20 and winners will be announced on November 10.

A selection of the best entries will feature on the official NHS 60 website. Teachers and children should visit the site for information on how to apply.

www.60yearsofnhsscotland.co.uk.