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A TIMELINE OF THE NHS
  On July 5 1948, the brass band from the Yorkshire main colliery trooped up to the doctor’s surgery in Edlington, South Yorkshire, and began to play. The doctor hung the Union flag out of the window and gave them all a drink. The NHS had arrived.
  A time line from 1948 to 1998
 

1948 July 5th
The first day of the NHS and the provision of a free and comprehensive health care system
Streptomycin introduced
The introduction of antibiotics resulted in deaths from infectious diseases being reduced by 75%.
The number of children dying under the age of one is reduced by 50%
 

1951
Charges for dental and optical treatment
Recognition that Radiation therapy on benign conditions caused cancers
  1954
The first kidney transplant
 

1950’s and 60’s
Single issues campaigns
Particular causes of ill health were targeted successfully, for example immunisation against polio, smoking and promoting a health diet
 

1963
A major hospital building campaign
Over-prescription of tranquillisers led to dependency
 

1973
NHS Reorganisation Act
Regional Health Authorities established in Kent
Pacemakers and bypass surgery improve survival from heart diseases
 

1988
The Prime Minister announces a fundamental review of the NHS
Keyhole surgery introduced
 

1991
The first NHS Trust hospitals
National campaign for immunisation prevents a measles epidemic
Survival rates for childhood leukaemia have increased from 20 to 95% since 1948
Survival rate for cancer have risen from 30 to 60% since 1948
 

1992
GP fund holding, doctors are able to buy service from hospitals
The ‘Health of the Nation’ initiative sets five targets for the NHS in the following areas: heart disease; cancer; mental illness; HIV/Aids and accidents

 

1996
Health Authorities took over family health services making one body responsible for all NHS planning for the first time.
 

1998
The 50th anniversary of the NHS
Concerns about increasing immunity to antibiotics due to widespread use are suggested.
 
Activities
1. In your judgment what is the most important contribution that the NHS has made to the health of the nation since 1948?
2. Not all the developments in medicine since 1948 have been successful.
Make a list of the areas where treatments have caused additional problems.
Could these have been avoided?
3. Many of these developments on this time line are about medicine and scientific discoveries.
What has been the contribution of the NHS to the quality of life?
4. Would you agree or disagree with the statement:
‘There was more change than continuity during the last fifty years.’