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The History of the National Health Service
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The National Health Service in England was created by the National Health Service Act 1946.
When Health Secretary, Aneurin Bevan, opened Park Hospital in Manchester, it was the climax of a hugely ambitious plan to bring good healthcare to all. For the first time, hospitals, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, opticians and dentists were brought together - under one umbrella organisation - to provide services that were to be free for all at the point of delivery.
The central principles were clear:
When Health Secretary, Aneurin Bevan, opened Park Hospital in Manchester, it was the climax of a hugely ambitious plan to bring good healthcare to all. For the first time, hospitals, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, opticians and dentists were brought together - under one umbrella organisation - to provide services that were to be free for all at the point of delivery.
The central principles were clear:
- That it meet the needs of everyone
- That it be free at the point of delivery
- That it be based on clinical need, not ability to pay
MILESTONES
1948 -NHS established
The NHS is born on 05 July 1948 out of a long-held ideal that good healthcare should be available to all, regardless of wealth. Health Secretary, Aneurin Bevan opens Park Hospital in Manchester. For the first time hospitals, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, opticians and dentists are brought together under one umbrella organisation that is free for all at the point of delivery.
1952 - Prescription charges introduced
Charges of one shilling (5p) are introduced for prescriptions. Prescription charges are abolished in 1965, and prescriptions remain free until June 1968 when the charges are reintroduced.
1958 - Polio and diphtheria vaccinations
A programme to vaccinate everyone under the age of 15 against polio and diphtheria is launched. One of the primary aims of the NHS is to promote good health, not simply to treat illness, and the introduction of the polio and diphtheria vaccine is a key part of the NHS’s plans.
1961 - The Pill made available
The contraceptive pill is made widely available and is hailed as a breakthrough of the 20th Century. Between 1962 and 1969, the number of women taking the Pill rise dramatically, from approximately 50,000 to 1m.
1962 - The Hospital Plan
The medical profession criticises the separation of the NHS into three parts – hospitals, general practice and local health authorities – and calls for unification. Enoch Powell’s Hospital Plan approves the development of district general hospitals for population areas of about 125,000. It soon becomes clear that it has underestimated the cost and time taken to build new hospitals.
1967 - The Salmon Report
This major report makes recommendations for the development of senior nursing staff. The Cogwheel Report considers the organisation of doctors in hospitals and proposes speciality groupings. It also highlights the efforts being made to reduce the disadvantages of the three-part NHS structure – hospitals, general practice and local health authorities – acknowledging the complexity of the NHS and the importance of change to meet future needs.
1972 - CT scans introduced
Computer tomography scans start to revolutionise the way doctors examine the body.
1980s - MRI scans introduced
Using a combination of magnetism and radio frequency waves, MRI scanners provide information about the body.
1980 - Keyhole surgery
A surgeon uses a telescopic rod with fi bre optic cable to remove a gallbladder.
1980 - Black Report
The report investigates the inequality of healthcare that still exists despite the foundation of the NHS, concluding that poor people are still more likely to die earlier than rich ones. The Whitehead Report in 1987 and the Acheson report in 1998 reached the same conclusions.
1986 - Aids health campaign
The government launches the biggest public health campaign in history to educate people about the threat of Aids as a result of HIV: “Don’t die of ignorance”.
1988 - Breast screening is introduced
Comprehensive national breast-screening programme introduced.
1990 - NHS and Community Care Act
Internal market is introduced, which means health authorities manage their own budgets and buy healthcare from hospitals and other health organisations.
1991 - First NHS Trusts established
Fifty-seven NHS trusts are established to make the service more responsive to the user at a local level. New NHS Trusts will aim to encourage creativity and innovation and challenge the domination of the hospitals within a health service that is increasingly focused on services in the community.
1998 - NHS Direct launches
A nurse-led advice service provides people with 24-hour health advice over the phone.
2000 - NHS Walk-in Centres
New health facilities open offering convenient access, round-the-clock, 365 days a year.
2002 - Primary Care Trusts launched
Primary care trusts are set up to improve the administration and delivery of healthcare at a local level.
2004 - Patient Choice Pilots
All patients waiting longer than six months for an operation are given a choice of an alternative place of treatment. Everyone who is referred by their doctor for hospital treatment is given a choice of at least four hospitals. Nowadays you can choose where and when to have your treatment from a list including local hospitals, NHS foundation trust hospitals across the country and a growing number of independent sector treatment centres and hospitals that have been contracted from the private sector.
2008 - Darzi Report
NHS Next Stage Review Final report promises a ‘once-in-a-generation opportunity’ to make the NHS one of the world’s best healthcare systems.
The NHS is born on 05 July 1948 out of a long-held ideal that good healthcare should be available to all, regardless of wealth. Health Secretary, Aneurin Bevan opens Park Hospital in Manchester. For the first time hospitals, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, opticians and dentists are brought together under one umbrella organisation that is free for all at the point of delivery.
1952 - Prescription charges introduced
Charges of one shilling (5p) are introduced for prescriptions. Prescription charges are abolished in 1965, and prescriptions remain free until June 1968 when the charges are reintroduced.
1958 - Polio and diphtheria vaccinations
A programme to vaccinate everyone under the age of 15 against polio and diphtheria is launched. One of the primary aims of the NHS is to promote good health, not simply to treat illness, and the introduction of the polio and diphtheria vaccine is a key part of the NHS’s plans.
1961 - The Pill made available
The contraceptive pill is made widely available and is hailed as a breakthrough of the 20th Century. Between 1962 and 1969, the number of women taking the Pill rise dramatically, from approximately 50,000 to 1m.
1962 - The Hospital Plan
The medical profession criticises the separation of the NHS into three parts – hospitals, general practice and local health authorities – and calls for unification. Enoch Powell’s Hospital Plan approves the development of district general hospitals for population areas of about 125,000. It soon becomes clear that it has underestimated the cost and time taken to build new hospitals.
1967 - The Salmon Report
This major report makes recommendations for the development of senior nursing staff. The Cogwheel Report considers the organisation of doctors in hospitals and proposes speciality groupings. It also highlights the efforts being made to reduce the disadvantages of the three-part NHS structure – hospitals, general practice and local health authorities – acknowledging the complexity of the NHS and the importance of change to meet future needs.
1972 - CT scans introduced
Computer tomography scans start to revolutionise the way doctors examine the body.
1980s - MRI scans introduced
Using a combination of magnetism and radio frequency waves, MRI scanners provide information about the body.
1980 - Keyhole surgery
A surgeon uses a telescopic rod with fi bre optic cable to remove a gallbladder.
1980 - Black Report
The report investigates the inequality of healthcare that still exists despite the foundation of the NHS, concluding that poor people are still more likely to die earlier than rich ones. The Whitehead Report in 1987 and the Acheson report in 1998 reached the same conclusions.
1986 - Aids health campaign
The government launches the biggest public health campaign in history to educate people about the threat of Aids as a result of HIV: “Don’t die of ignorance”.
1988 - Breast screening is introduced
Comprehensive national breast-screening programme introduced.
1990 - NHS and Community Care Act
Internal market is introduced, which means health authorities manage their own budgets and buy healthcare from hospitals and other health organisations.
1991 - First NHS Trusts established
Fifty-seven NHS trusts are established to make the service more responsive to the user at a local level. New NHS Trusts will aim to encourage creativity and innovation and challenge the domination of the hospitals within a health service that is increasingly focused on services in the community.
1998 - NHS Direct launches
A nurse-led advice service provides people with 24-hour health advice over the phone.
2000 - NHS Walk-in Centres
New health facilities open offering convenient access, round-the-clock, 365 days a year.
2002 - Primary Care Trusts launched
Primary care trusts are set up to improve the administration and delivery of healthcare at a local level.
2004 - Patient Choice Pilots
All patients waiting longer than six months for an operation are given a choice of an alternative place of treatment. Everyone who is referred by their doctor for hospital treatment is given a choice of at least four hospitals. Nowadays you can choose where and when to have your treatment from a list including local hospitals, NHS foundation trust hospitals across the country and a growing number of independent sector treatment centres and hospitals that have been contracted from the private sector.
2008 - Darzi Report
NHS Next Stage Review Final report promises a ‘once-in-a-generation opportunity’ to make the NHS one of the world’s best healthcare systems.
INTERESTING FACTS
• The NHS employs over 1.3 million people nationwide.
• It is the 4th largest employer in the world behind the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Wal-Mart and
the Indian Railways.
• Around 77% of the NHS workforce is female.
• Nurses make up the largest part of the NHS workforce at around 30%.
• 23m people visit their GP or practice nurse each month.
• GPs treat an average 255 patients each week.
• Community pharmacies dispensed 745 million prescription items in 2006/07.
• Staff across the NHS are in contact with more than 1.5 million patients and their families every day.
• In a typical week, 1.4 million people will receive help in their home from the NHS.
• The NHS employs over 1.3 million people nationwide.
• It is the 4th largest employer in the world behind the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Wal-Mart and
the Indian Railways.
• Around 77% of the NHS workforce is female.
• Nurses make up the largest part of the NHS workforce at around 30%.
• 23m people visit their GP or practice nurse each month.
• GPs treat an average 255 patients each week.
• Community pharmacies dispensed 745 million prescription items in 2006/07.
• Staff across the NHS are in contact with more than 1.5 million patients and their families every day.
• In a typical week, 1.4 million people will receive help in their home from the NHS.
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ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH COUNCILS
1974 - 2003 This site is being maintained on a voluntary basis by Polly Healy ..._________________________________________________________ Please make contact if you have any contributions or suggestions for this site. Click here ... |
The ACHCEW Memorial Badge
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