The NHS

• The NHS was created in 1948 by Aneurin Bevin.
• In 1942, William Beverage wrote the Beverage Report to suggest ways to improve people's health from 'cradle to grave'.
• Beverage suggested to set up a National Health Service free for everyone that would be funded by national insurance that everybody would pay.
• The 1911 National Health Act let workers pay into a 'sick fund' however this still left women, children and the elderly without care.
• Impacts of the NHS (overall):

  • Life expectancy increased - especially the poor
  • Amount of doctors doubled
  • Nurses were more qualified
  • Hospitals received better technology and medical equipment
• Impacts of the NHS: (children)

  • School medical services and inspections
  • Information was shared with profession organisations e.g. social workers
• Impacts of the NHS: (women)

  • Fewer people died from childbirth - specialised care
  • Midwives provided
  • Vaccines and health visitors
• Some resisted the NHS as doctors lost private patients, people thought the poor would become lazy, local councils would lose control and doctors were worried they would lose freedom.