NHS

NHS

1. Why was it created?

   • Changed ideas after WW2
     • Evacuated children
       • People were shocked by living conditions
     • More unity between rich and poor
       • Rich began to see how poor lived
         • Unfair they couldn't get healthcare
           • Everyone is equal so should get same
       • Realised healthier = more work = more income
     • The desire for 'something better'
     • Soldiers more morale if knew family were okay back home
     • The war had provided some free medical care
       • Emergency Medical Service
       • Could carry this on
   • The Beveridge Report of 1942
     • Showed disease was a problem that had to be tackled after the war
     • Clement Atlee introduced this 'welfare state' he outlined when he became Prime Minister in 1945
   • Aneurin Bevan
     • Set up in 1948
       • Landmark for public health
     • Health Minister
     • Publicised his ideas
       • Pressured doctors to join
   • Everyone could now access same healthcare for 'free'

2. People's taxes paid for...

   • Seeing a GP
   • Hospital care and operations
   • Dentists and opticians
   • Health visitors
     • Pregnant women
     • Young children
   • Ambulances and emergency treatment
   • Health care for elderley

3. Problems with the NHS

   • Was more expensive than planned
     • Had to introduce costs for prescriptions in 1941
   • Getting more and more expensive
     • People are living longer and requiring moretreatment and more expensive treatments
   • Some treatments are't available on the NHS
     • E.g. some cancer treatments

4. Opposition

   • Some believed poor got 'something for nothing'
   • Doctors
     • Thought wouldn't get paid as much
     • Wanted freedom to treat patients privately
   • Solutions
     • Bevan promised more hospitals/ equipment
       • Was badly needed
     • Allowed doctors to still have private patients