The NHS

• Government Reforms

  • 1942, Beveridge published his report to fight the five Giant Evils of 'Want, Disease, Ignorance, Squalor and Idleness'
  • 1945, Atlee agreed to implement these ideas, creating a true welfare state
• When was the NHS introduced?

  1948
• What was the aim of the NHS?

  to provide support from 'cradle to grave' financed out of taxation
• Why were people opposed to the NHS?

  medicl professionals believed it was an attempt to curtail their livelihood and take away their patients

  only 10% of doctors were in favour of it
• what did Churchill say about the NHS?

  it was a 'curse on the country' and discouraged voluntary efforts
• How big was the demand for healthcare?

  huge, there were far more people needing healthcare than what the budget could fit
• When did the NHS end being free?

  1952, charges for spectacles introduced, prescriptions cost 1 shilling and dental treatment £1