2 - Aneurin Bevan and the NHS

Who introduced the National Health Service Bill and in what year?

Aneurin Bevan introduced the National Health Service (NHS) Bill in Parliament in 1946. He was the Minister of Health in the post-war Labour government led by Clement Attlee.

What were the main aims of the National Health Service Bill?

The main aim was to provide free medical services for all, funded partly by National Insurance contributions and partly through general taxation. It sought to ensure comprehensive healthcare access regardless of income.

What services were covered under the original NHS plan?

Services included:

• General Practitioners (GPs)

• Opticians and eye care

• Dentists and dental care

• District nurses

• Infant and child welfare services

• Medicines and hospital treatments

Why did some doctors oppose the NHS?

Many doctors were against the NHS because it represented a centralised healthcare system. They feared loss of independence, especially those who ran private practices and were used to being paid directly by patients. The NHS would mean working under government control.

Which groups opposed the NHS and why?

• The British Medical Association (BMA) opposed it on behalf of many doctors who did not want government control.

• The Conservative Party opposed it largely on ideological grounds, preferring private enterprise over state-run services.

How did Bevan resolve opposition from doctors?

After 18 months of negotiations, Bevan reached a compromise: doctors would be allowed to continue private work alongside their NHS duties. This helped win over enough doctors to make the system viable.

How did the British public respond to the creation of the NHS?

The NHS was widely supported by the public, many of whom had previously avoided medical treatment due to high costs. It was seen as a revolutionary step towards fair and accessible healthcare.

What was the financial impact of the NHS in its first year?

In its first year, the NHS cost the government over £500 million, a much higher figure than anticipated.

What changes were made to the NHS in 1951 and why?

In 1951, the government introduced charges for prescriptions, opticians, and dentists to manage the rising costs. These charges marked a shift away from the fully free model initially envisioned.

Why did Aneurin Bevan resign from the government in 1951?

Bevan resigned in protest over the introduction of charges for NHS services, believing it undermined the principle of free healthcare for all.