The NHS Reasons why Success NHS NATIONAL HEALTH

The NHS Reasons why? Success?

NHS • NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE

When did it begin? • England Wales – National Health Service Act 1946 • Scotland – National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1947

Why was it needed? • Before the NHS, patients were required to pay for their health care. • Free treatment was sometimes available from teaching hospitals or charity hospitals. • Therefore the majority of people went without health care. • The people who needed it the most (the poor) could not afford the care they needed.

• Life expectancy at birth in 1930 was only 52 for men and 59 for women, and the retirement age was 65. • 1 in 20 babies in the 1930 s died before their 1 st birthday

The Birth of The NHS • The founding principles of the NHS called for its funding out of general taxation and not through national insurance. • Services would henceforth be provided by the same doctors and the same hospitals, but: • services were provided free at the point of use; • services were financed from central taxation; • everyone was eligible for care (even people temporarily resident or visiting the country).

What services did you get? • Primary Care – GPs, Dentists, Opticians, Pharmacists.

• Community Services Ambulances Midwifes Maternity Clinics Health Education Vaccinations

Cradle to the Grave • This means the NHS would take care of you from the moment you were born to when you died.

Was it successful? • It was the envy of the world at the time! • In the first year 187 million prescriptions, 8 500 000 dental treatments and 5 500 000 glasses were issued. • 95% of the population used the service • Killer diseases such as Tuberculosis (TB) have been almost wiped out and people live longer • By 1970 - Men 68 years old - Women 75 years old