Medicine + Surgery: State of Health C20th/Development of the NHS

C20th Advances:

• Specialised team
  • Surgeon
  • Nurses
  • Technician
  • Anaesthetist
• Overcome infection, pain and blood loss
  • Anaesthetics, antiseptics, asepsis, blood transfusions, anti-clotting
• Specialist surgery
  • Brain, heart etc.

Factors which affected health in C20th:

• Government
  • Unemployment
  • Wages
  • Pensions
• Scientific discoveries
  • Vitamins
  • Magic bullet
  • X-rays
  • Vaccines
• Living conditions
  • Council housing
  • Water and sewage
  • Poor condition led to disease
• Medical care
  • Price of care
  • Link to workhouses
  • Inequality
  • Availability
  • Contraception
• Nutrition
  • Pasteurised milk
  • Good diet
  • Free school meals

What is the National Health Service (NHS)?

• A system set up by the government in 1948 to provide free medical care for everyone
• Overseen by:
  • Government minister - Minister for Health
  • Local Board of Health, set up in 15 areas
  • Local areas, provided with government money
• Umbrella organisation has:
  • Dental
  • Optician
  • Vaccines
  • Hospital treatment
  • Doctors
  • Anti- and post-natal care
  • School nurses

Why was the NHS introduced?

• Long-term causes:
  • Many people could not afford medical treatment
    • Economic recession in 30's
      • high unemployment
      • high prices
      • little money
  • Unequal…