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On Call to a Nation

BIRTH OF THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE | How the state of the nation's health became a political ideal

On Call to a Nation

Ten years after it started, is the NHS looking healthy?

Synopsis

Casting real doctors instead of actors, this film uses scripted scenarios and interviews to see the National Health Service through their eyes. The documentary also shows that there is still division among doctors as to whether the NHS was a sound idea in the first place.

Did you know?

The organisation that emerged from the National Health Service Act 1946 was actually not one healthcare system but three, as separate services with regional jurisdiction were created for England, Scotland and Wales.

Contributors

Colin Wills
Narrator
Richard Cawston
Writer, Producer

More like this...

Brains Trust Participant.

THE BRAINS TRUST

BROADCAST 1942
9 MINUTES

Did the Brains want an NHS in 1942?

Sir William H Beveridge.

SIR WILLIAM BEVERIDGE ANNOUNCEMENT

BROADCAST 1942
15 MINUTES

Beveridge outlines his proposals for a new welfare state.

Dr Charles Hill.

STATE ORGANISED MEDICINE

BROADCAST 1943
18 MINUTES

Two doctors debate the pros and cons of joining a National Health Service.

The Rt Hon Baroness Edith Summerskill.

DOCTOR EDITH SUMMERSKILL

BROADCAST 1948
18 MINUTES

A Party Political Broadcast on the advantages of the new National Health Service.

The Rt Hon Clement Attlee, PM.

THE NEW SOCIAL SERVICES AND THE CITIZEN

BROADCAST 1948
15 MINUTES

Prime Minister Clement Attlee introduces and explains the new Social Services.

Documents

Document - Page one of 'Radio Doctor' on Public Reactions to the Proposed Health Service.

'RADIO DOCTOR' CALLS FOR PUBLIC DEBATE ...

WRITTEN 1943
1 DOC

Dr Hill explains the importance of allowing public debate about the health service.

Document - 'Radio Doctor' on Vitamins.

'RADIO DOCTOR' ON VITAMINS

WRITTEN 1945
1 DOC

What the BBC should say about vitamins.

Document - Page one of The Government Asks for the BBC's Help in Publicising the 1948 Acts.

THE GOVERNMENT ASKS FOR THE BBC'S HELP

WRITTEN 1945
1 DOC

Minutes of a meeting in which the government suggests ways that the BBC could help ...

Document - Page two of Potential Topics for 'Radio Doctor' Are Discussed.

POTENTIAL TOPICS FOR 'RADIO DOCTORS' ...

WRITTEN 1947
4 DOCS

A series of memos that reveal prevalent health concerns in the UK, just as the NHS is founded.

Document - Page one of 'Radio Doctor' on Chilblains.

'RADIO DOCTOR' ON CHILBLAINS

WRITTEN 1947
1 DOC

Dr Charles Hill discusses what he can say about chilblains on his programme.


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