The National Health Service

• When was the National Health Service established?

  1948
• What proposal did the Labour government implement in 1948?

  Beveridge’s last proposal for a National Health Service
• Who was the last Labour Minister for Health that introduced the NHS?

  Aneurin Bevan
• What significant action did the government take regarding hospitals when introducing the NHS?

  The government nationalised hospitals under local authority control
• What was made free for all patients under the NHS?

  Treatment
• What were the arguments for and against the NHS?

  For the NHS:

  • Government control of hospitals during WWII led to support
  • Medical care would be free and accessible to everyone
  • Guaranteed government funding for hospitals

  
  

  Against the NHS:

  • Conservatives opposed due to potential high costs
  • Doctors feared loss of independence and income
  • Many doctors threatened to strike
• What did the Emergency Medical Service during World War Two demonstrate?

  Success of government control of hospitals
• Why did many Conservatives oppose the NHS?

  They believed the cost would be huge
• What concerns did doctors have regarding the NHS?

  Loss of independence and income
• How did the government convince doctors to support the NHS?

  By offering payment per patient and allowing fee-paying patients
• The NHS was very popular

  . Although many Conservatives were opposed to the creation of the NHS, they couldn’t abolish it when they came back into power in 1951 - it was too popular

  . The NHS increased the number of people with access to healthcare - the number of doctors doubled between 1948 and 1973 to keep up with demand

  . Today, the NHS provides a range of health services, most of which are free and accessible to everyone. They include accident and emergency care, maternity care and major surgery, as well as pharmacies, dentists, mental health services, sexual health services and general practitioners (GPs)

  In the long term, the NHS has contributed to a dramatic improvement in people’s health and a rise in life expectancy. In 1951, men could expect to live to 66 and women to 75 - by 2011 this had risen to 79 for men and 83 for women
• What is one challenge the NHS faces today?

  Increase in life expectancy
• Why does an increase in life expectancy challenge the NHS?

  More older people need regular medical attention
• What long-term conditions are older people more likely to suffer from?

  Diabetes and heart disease
• How do lifestyle choices affect the NHS?

  They put strain on NHS resources
• What are some harmful lifestyle choices mentioned?

  Smoking, obesity, and alcohol consumption
• What serious health issues can smoking and alcohol cause?

  Smoking can cause lung cancer; alcohol can cause liver disease
• What is a financial challenge the NHS faces?

  Modern treatments and medicines are expensive
• What has the NHS had to face regarding public expectations?

  Rising expectations of what it can offer
• What was the NHS budget in 2015/16?

  £116 billion overall
• What does the NHS sometimes have to do to stay within its budget?

  Make difficult choices about treatments
• What percentage of British people were satisfied with the NHS in 2015?

  60%
• What does the satisfaction poll indicate about the NHS?

  It is still relatively popular