History of the NHS

Question 1

What ‘health centres’ were available prior to the founding of the NHS in 1948?

Answer 1

Hospitals
Municipal hospitals
Asylums
Workhouses

Question 2

Who could receive free healthcare before the NHS was founded?

Answer 2

Low paid workers, those who could get to a charitable/voluntary hospital

Question 3

What date was the NHS founded?

Answer 3

5th July 1948

By Aneurin Bevan

Question 4

In 1948, how was the NHS funded?

Answer 4

Central taxation

Question 5

True or false: The founding principle of the NHS was fair and equal access to all, free at the point of delivery

Answer 5

True

Question 6

True or false: In the beginning the NHS was able to meet all expectations and has subsequently gone downhill

Answer 6

False

Bevan (founder) said that expectations will always exceed capacity.

Problems with admin and funding, just like there is today.

Question 7

True or false: prescriptions were free in 1948

Answer 7

True, prescription charges were introduced in 1952

Question 8

True or false: GPs acted as gatekeepers to the NHS services in 1948

Answer 8

True

Question 9

The time period of 1988-1997 is known as the era of __?__

Answer 9

‘The Market’

Introduction of the internal market (white paper - working for patients)

Question 10

Under the internal market, who were the purchasers?

Answer 10

Health authorities and some family doctors

To be a purchaser, GPs had to become GP fundholders

Question 11

Unde the internal market (1988-1997) who were the providers?

Answer 11

Acute hospitals and health organisations.

To be a provider, hospitals had to become NHS trusts

Question 12

In what era were NHS trusts formed?

Answer 12

The era of the market (1988-1997)

Question 13

In what era did GPs begin managing budgets?

Answer 13

The era of the market (1988-1997)

Question 14

What accusation was made of the internal market?

Answer 14

That it was a two-tier system

Question 15

In 1997, a new government was elected: Labour were in power.

What reforms did labour make to the internal market?

Answer 15

Abolished it

New White Paper: The New NHS: Modern, Dependable

Question 16

1998-2009 was known as the era of __?__

Answer 16

all change

Question 17

What changes took place in ‘the era of all change’ (1998-2009)?

Answer 17

• biggest changes since formation (until 2010)
• Restructuring of NHS
• Patients at centre of NHS
• ↑ use of IT
• NHS Information Highway
• NHS direct
• Formation of NICE

Question 18

What promises were made in the era of all change (1998-2009)?

Answer 18

More hospitals and bed

More Drs and nurses

↓ waiting times

Cleaner wards, better food, better facilities

↑ elderly care

Tougher standards, better rewards for NHS organisation

Greater information and power for patients and the public

Question 19

What four principles were key during the era of all change (1998-2009)?

Answer 19

1. Patient focused service (choice, role of independent sector)
2. Competitive providers (paid by results, money followed patient numbers)
3. Active purchasers (PCTs had purchasing power, practice-based commissioning)
4. Cost-effectiveness and affordability (tariffs, commissioning)

Question 20

2010 onwards is known as the era of __?__

Answer 20

austerity, major reforms and uncertainty