The Creation of the NHS

Question 1

Front: How did the Second World War impact government attitudes toward health?

Answer 1

Back: The war highlighted the need for a healthy population to support the war effort, leading to initiatives like rationing, poster campaigns, immunisation, and evacuation.

Question 2

Front: How did rationing during WWII improve the health of poorer people?

Answer 2

Back: Rationing provided many poorer people with a more balanced diet.

Question 3

Front: What was the purpose of the government’s poster campaigns during WWII?

Answer 3

Back: To advise people on how to stay healthy, with slogans like “Coughs and Sneezes Spread Diseases.”

Question 4

Front: What immunisation campaign did the government run during WWII?

Answer 4

Back: A national diphtheria immunisation campaign.

Question 5

Front: What did the evacuation of children during WWII reveal about health in Britain?

Answer 5

Back: The poor health of many children from cities shocked the government, showing the need for broader health improvements.

Question 6

Front: Who was asked to produce a report on how to improve post-war Britain?

Answer 6

Back: William Beveridge, a civil servant.

Question 7

Front: What was the main recommendation of the Beveridge Report?

Answer 7

Back: To create a National Health Service and a Welfare State to support people “from the cradle to the grave.”

Question 8

Front: When was the NHS officially created?

Answer 8

Back: In 1948, following the passing of a law in 1946.

Question 9

Front: Which political party established the NHS after WWII?

Answer 9

Back: The Labour Party.

Question 10

Front: What was the key principle of the NHS when it was established?

Answer 10

Back: It was to provide free healthcare for everyone.

Question 11

Front: Why did some doctors initially oppose the creation of the NHS?

Answer 11

Back: They feared lower pay, loss of independence, and government control over their hours and locations of work.

Question 12

Front: What promise did Aneurin Bevan make to persuade doctors to support the NHS?

Answer 12

Back: Doctors could continue having private patients while also working for the NHS.

Question 13

Front: By 1948, what percentage of doctors had signed up to join the NHS?

Answer 13

Back: 90% of doctors.

Question 14

Front: Why were some richer people opposed to the NHS?

Answer 14

Back: They were concerned about higher taxes to fund the NHS.

Question 15

Front: Why were charities and local authorities opposed to the NHS?

Answer 15

Back: They were unhappy about handing over control of hospitals to the government.

Question 16

Front: Who was the Minister of Health responsible for creating the NHS?

Answer 16

Back: Aneurin Bevan.

Question 17

Front: What was the broader vision of the Welfare State recommended by Beveridge?

Answer 17

Back: To keep people out of poverty “from the cradle to the grave.”

Question 18

Front: What slogan highlighted the importance of hygiene during WWII?

Answer 18

Back: “Coughs and Sneezes Spread Diseases.”

Question 19

Front: How did WWII’s health campaigns demonstrate the need for the NHS?

Answer 19

Back: They revealed gaps in public health, especially through evacuation and poor health among urban children.

Question 20

Front: What made the NHS ground-breaking at the time of its creation?

Answer 20

Back: It provided healthcare free at the point of use, accessible to all, regardless of income.