The National Health Service was launched by the Minister of Health at the time of Attlee’s post-war government, Aneurin Bevan. To provide good, strong and reliable healthcare to all. It’s first steps were taken at the Park Hospital in Manchester.
On the 5th July 1948 this historic movement was launched. This pioneering plan was to make healthcare accessible to all and not just exclusive to those who could afford it. Many years of hard work produced this revolutionary healthcare system.
Ideas for a better system for the poor can be traced back to the early 1900’s, although nothing came of them. In 1912 Dr. Benjamin, a Liverpool physician began to speak out and was extremely proactive in realising his thoughts and ideas of the future of healthcare. His pioneering ideas were written in “The Dawn of the Health Age”. He was probably one of the first to use the phrase ‘National Health Service’. Leading him to create the State Medical Service Association who held their first meeting in 1912. It however took another 30 years before some of his ideas were used in the Beveridge Plan for the NHS.
By the time the Second World War broke out, the London Council was running the largest public healthcare of its kind. The Beveridge Report in 1942 had full support in the House of Commons across all parties. 1944 saw the guidelines set out for the HNS. Everyone would be entitled to free at point of delivery treatment.
Aneurin Bevan became Health Minister in 1945 and brought about the nuts and bolts of the HNS as we know it today. Primarily it was based on three main ideas of Bevan
The NHS created in 1948 has been through changes and reorganisations. In many ways it has exceeded expectations. Born out of hard work and dedication which has never been needed more than now.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created the urgent need for extra healthcare workers and volunteers. We are so proud of all the existing and now extra Angels who have more than stepped up to the plate. Along with everyone involved in the remarkable achievement of setting up the Nightingale hospitals. These temporary, field hospitals have been set up in a very short time around the country to help cope with the high influx of patients.
We all come together in giving our unconditional appreciation and gratitude to these amazing people risking their lives to save ours. Thursday evenings at 8 p.m. has become a regular event when the nation comes together to clap and show love and respect. The very least we can do is
STAY HOME, PROTECT THE NHS, SAVE LIVES.
STAY SAFE EVERYONE
Love Team dipt x
