!!!!!NHS!!!!! Flashcards
National health service act
1946 (disease) - free medical, dental and eye care for all - implemented in 1948
What did many doctors belong to ?
The British Medical Association (BMA)
How was the NHS received by doctors ?
UNHAPPY - they had fought against government reforms such as the 1911 introduction of free medical care for those paying NI - they had also fought against all changes to increase free health care such as 1941 law that raised the income of people who could claim from £250 to £420 - DID NOT WANT TO WORK FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES
What was the health service a mix of ?
free ‘panels’, private care and hospitals and clinics run by voluntary groups - BMA reps sat on government committees to discuss reform but disagreed over the amount of government control, who could get free healthcare and how doctors should be paid
Who was the new minister of health under Labour and what did he do ?
Aneurin Bevan - he set up committees to consult with the BMA and pushed through the National Health Services Act despite BMA protests
When was the NHS passed ?
November 1946
What was the set date for the start of free medical care ?
January 1948 but disputes with the BMA delayed this until April 1948 - it was not until July 1948 that the NHS began to provide its free services
What was the reaction to the NHS?
People could hardly believe the NHS was really going to provide free health care and so rushed to make use of it
Some people took advantage (took free cotton wool which was really cheap anyway), however others genuinely needed health care but did not have the chance to receive it before.
How did the government underestimate the cost of the services?
They based it on the normal use of the services, however they should have taken into account the fact that not charging for the health care would have a serious impact.
What was the most popular service?
Glasses and false teeth were the most popular, but the medicine bill was also high
What did the government debate in 1949 and what did they introduce as a result?
- They were debating introducing charges
- They introduced the National Health Service Act of 1949 which set a 1 shilling prescription charge (The old, poor or disabled did not have to pay)
When did the national health service act come into force?
1952
What happened as a result of the national health service act?
Bevan disagreed and resigned as minister of health because of it
What was the second health act put in place and when was it put in place?
Another act, in 1951, put a charge of one shilling towards the costs of glasses or half the cost of false teeth (again, the old, poor or disabled did not have to pay)
How were the charges that were introduced in 1951 reacted to?
These charges were fiercely objected to, but even when they were in force, those who needed free treatment with getting it, a vast improvement on the situation before the war.