BMJ  2008;336:1216-1218 (31 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.39582.501192.94

Analysis

NHS at 60

Founding principles

¹ BMJ, London WC1H 9JR

Inthe first in a series ofarticles marking the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the NHS, Tony Delamothe examines what drove its formation

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) came into existence on 5 July 1948. It was the first health system in any Western society to offer free medical care to the entire population. It was, furthermore, the first comprehensive system to be based not on the insurance principle, with entitlement following contributions, but on the national provision of services available to everyone.1

To the founding principles enumerated in this quotation should be added quality and equity. Presenting his National Health Service Bill to parliament in 1946, health minister Aneurin Bevan said "not only is it available to the whole population freely, but it is intended . . . to generalise the best health advice and treatment."² The intention was to make the same, high level of service available to all, according to need.³ In other words, the new service could be seen as responding to the old Marxist rallying cry, "From each . . . [Full text of this article]

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This article has been cited by other articles:

• Klein, R. (2008). What does the future hold for the NHS at 60?. BMJ 337: a549-a549 [Full text]  
• Delamothe, T. (2008). How the NHS measures up. BMJ 336: 1469-1471 [Full text]  

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