The Creation of the NHS
The Beveridge Report
In the middle of the second World War, Sir William Beveridge was asked to research how the quality of life for the British people could be improved in post-war Briatain. He identified five giant social evils that plagued Britain: want, disease, ignorance, squalor and idleness. To deal with these problems, Beveridge recomended new principles which Britain should be built upon:
The most significant part of the welfare state was the creation of the NHS, which came in to being on the 5th July 1948.Labour Health Minister, Aneurin Bevan,had to overcome a lot of opposition in order to create the NHS.
The impact of the NHS on people's live:
In the middle of the second World War, Sir William Beveridge was asked to research how the quality of life for the British people could be improved in post-war Briatain. He identified five giant social evils that plagued Britain: want, disease, ignorance, squalor and idleness. To deal with these problems, Beveridge recomended new principles which Britain should be built upon:
- university-all people would be eligible for benefits
- a national system of insurance-all workers and employees would pay in to a scheme to provide sickness benefit so that there would be no need for charity
- family allowance-children
- healthcare.
- Family Allowances Act, 1945- an allowance of five shillings per week per child in any family
- National Insurance Act, 1946-benefits for any worker who was unemployed, injured or sick
- National Health Service Act, 1946 (implemented July 1948)- free health care
- Town and Country Planning Act, 1947- clearance of slums and bomb-damaged housing, and relocation of many of the poorest areas in Brtitain.
- Children Act, 1948-local authorities set up to protect children
- Housing Act, 1949- a programme of building new housing to the latest specifications.
The most significant part of the welfare state was the creation of the NHS, which came in to being on the 5th July 1948.Labour Health Minister, Aneurin Bevan,had to overcome a lot of opposition in order to create the NHS.
The impact of the NHS on people's live:
- The British public recieved the availability of free medical care and demand exceeded all expectations.
- Between 1948 and 1973, the number of doctors doubled.
- High quality maternity care became free to women for the very first time.
- The NHS provided other healthcare professionals such as midwives and health visitors.
- Between 1870 and 1910, the average life expectancy of women in Britain was 45, by 1970 it had risen to 76.
- Medical inspections carried out by schools had improved the health of children.
- Free vaccinations were given to children which reduced death from from common diseases.
- Infant mortality fell from 60,000 deaths of children under 5 in 1945 to 20,000 deaths by 1975.