BMJ  2008;336:1410-1412 (21 June), doi:10.1136/bmj.a292

Analysis

NHS at 60

A centrally funded health service, free at the point of delivery

¹ BMJ, London WC1H 9JR

Analysis, doi: 10.1136/bmj.39582.501192.94Analysis, doi: 10.1136/bmj.a169Analysis, doi: 10.1136/bmj.a253

Funding the NHS solely through taxation has led to tensions throughout its history. But, as Tony Delamothe reports in his fourth article on the NHS, it still looks like the most efficient option

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

The vision for a national health service came with the haziest of price tags, and it wasn’t long before the bills started piling up. To balance the books, patient charges were introduced in 1951 for dentistry and ophthalmic services, and for prescriptions a year later. To curb the perceived profligacy of the service’s early days a ceiling was set on NHS spending—the annual contribution from direct taxation was limited to about £400m (500m; $780m) at 1950 prices.¹

"There are to be no fees or charges to the patient, with the following exceptions: (i) There will be some charges ... for the renewal or repair of spectacles, dentures and other appliances, where this is made necessary through negligence... (ii) There will be charges (taking into account ability to pay) for the provision of domestic help under the Bill for certain good or articles (eg supplementary foods, blankets etc) which may . . . [Full text of this article]

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This article has been cited by other articles:

• Light, D. W (2008). Will the NHS strategic plan benefit patients?. BMJ 337: a824-a824 [Full text]  
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