Labour health minister Aneurin 'Nye' Bevan launched the NHS on 5th July 1948. For the first time healthcare professionals came together. The NHS was based on 3 core principles: that it meets the needs of everyone, it is free at the point of delivery & it is based on clinical need.
The idea was revolutionary. Previously, hospitals were managed locally, people had to pay for healthcare or it was given eratically by charity, people believed there was a better way of doing things & WWII had shown there needed to be changes. There had been opposition, but it was overcome.
Women's lives changed, they had free good quality maternity carewhich saved lives & reduced complications. There was a dramatic fall in infant mortality, & children received medical inspections & vacinations benefiting even the poorest. Millions of prescriptions were given monthly, the no. of doctors doubled, spectacular operations performed, & lives improved.
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