Bevan and Beveridge

Question 1

When was the National Health Service (NHS) established?

Answer 1

1948

Question 2

What did Beveridge do?

Answer 2

He wrote a report on what could be done to improve people’s lives.

Question 3

When did Beveridge write and publish his report?

Answer 3

1942

Question 4

What did Beveridge’s report recommend?

Answer 4

1. The creation of the NHS, paid for by National Insurance and free to everyone. Doctors and nurses would be employed by the government instead of charging patients fees
2. Everyone in work would pay National Insurance out of their wages. This would also help fund benefits such as sick-pay, pensions and unemployment benefits.

Question 5

Why was there resistance to Beveridge’s recommendations?

Answer 5

1. Doctors were unhappy about losing private, fee-paying patients
2. Local authorities were unhappy about losing control of their hospitals
3. Some thought the poor should help themselves instead of relying on the government
4. Beveridge made the NHS look like it could work

Question 6

Who was Bevan?

Answer 6

The Minister of Health and was responsible for establishing the NHS in 1948.

Question 7

What did Bevan do?

Answer 7

• He made speeches in favour of the NHS
• Compromised with doctors by allowing them to continue treating patients privately and charging them fees
• Once doctors changed their attitudes toward the NHS, it could work.