Creation and impact of the NHS 1945-79

Question 1

NHS Act 1946

Answer 1

Healthcare available to all - curative and preventative care, mental and physical.
Free to the point of delivery/treatment - paid for by taxation.
NHS hospitals run by regional boards.

Question 2

Cooperation of doctors

Answer 2

Bevan struggled to get the cooperation of the doctors.
Consultants/specialists allowed to continue working privately.
Allocated beds in hospitals for private patients.
GPs continued to be self-employed.
Regional health boards dominated by consultants.

Question 3

Provision

Answer 3

Creation of the NHS did not immediately lead to equal provision across the country.
NHS inherited the existing infrastructure - unequally distributed.

Question 4

Development of the NHS 1951-79

Answer 4

1962 Hospital Plan under Macmillan’s Conservatives - creation of 90 new hospitals, redesign of 134, refurbishment of 356.
1973 NHS Reorganisation Act - new management structure.
Significant growth in management costs 1974-79.
Resource Allocation Working Party under Labour Minister - identified areas of deprivation, allocated additional resources.

Question 5

Impact of developments in the NHS

Answer 5

Reductions in all categories of disease - except old age.
Facilitated medical advances - better recovery rates.
Average IMR declined - from 30/1000 in 1950 to 10/1000 by 1980.

Question 6

NHS spending

Answer 6

Spending on the NHS increased under both Labour and Conservative governments.
1950-51 3.5% of GDP, 1975-76 5% of GDP.