Birth of the National Health Service | The early history of the NHS
The New Social Services and the Citizen
Prime Minister Clement Attlee introduces and explains the new Social Services.
CHANNEL | Home Service
FIRST BROADCAST | 04 July 1948
DURATION | 14 minutes 58 seconds
FIRSTBROADCAST
1948
Synopsis
On the eve of the introduction of the new Social Service schemes, the Prime Minister explains how he believes they will benefit the country. Attlee describes the aims of the four new schemes, the National Insurance Act, Industrial Injuries Act, National Assistance and the National Health Service, and states his belief that they will improve the country's health and happiness.
Did you know?
Clement Attlee was a famously quiet and unassuming man, in fact Churchill said he was 'A modest man who has a good deal to be modest about'. However, modern commentators see him as one of this country's most effective and efficient Prime Ministers. In 2006, he and Margaret Thatcher were jointly ranked as the greatest Prime Ministers of the 20th century in 'BBC History Magazine'.
Contributors
Associated subjects
Related BBC Links
Related External Links
More like this...
Sir William Beveridge Announcement
Beveridge outlines his proposals for a new welfare state.
State Organised Medicine
Two doctors debate the pros and cons of joining a National Health Service.
Doctor Edith Summerskill
A Party Political Broadcast on the advantages of the new National Health Service.
The New Social Services and the Citizen
Prime Minister Clement Attlee introduces and explains the new Social Services.
Bevan, Rt Hon Minister of Health
One year after its introduction, the founder speaks on the Health Service.
Special Enquiry | Health for the People
'Special Enquiry' looks at the impact of the NHS in Salford.
NHS: Proposal of Doctors to Withdraw
GPs threaten to withdraw from the NHS.
On Call to a Nation
Ten years after it started, is the NHS looking healthy?
Enquiry | Portrait of a GP
Is the health service on the brink of collapse?
Panorama | Health Service
Doctors discuss problems in the NHS as it approaches its 20th birthday.
Something for Nothing: A Birthday Celebration
James Burke asks how long the NHS can continue without breaking down completely.
Parents and Children | What do you know about... the National Health Service?
Mums and dads pit their wits against each other to answer NHS-based questions.
Stuffing Their Mouths with Gold
A history of the NHS as recalled by some who were there at the beginning.
How We Worked Then | Medicine
Doctors, patients and chemists share their memories of medical treatment before the NHS.
Documents
'Radio Doctor' calls for Public Debate on Health
Dr Hill explains the importance of allowing public debate about the health service.
Scheduling Radio Doctor Recordings
Will the Radio Doctor be too busy negotiating with the government to broadcast?
Radio doctor topics: Chilblains
Should the BBC admit that doctors can't help to cure chillblains?
'Radio Doctor' on Chilblains
Dr Charles Hill gives his opinions on the causes and treatments of chillblains.
Radio doctor topics: Shingles and Dandruff
The Radio doctor's producer suggests broadcasting about shingles and repeating advice about dandruff.
The Government asks for the BBC's Help
Minutes of a meeting in which the government suggests ways that the BBC could help publicise the new Welfare State acts.
The BBC takes stock of government negotiations with doctors.
An agreement between Doctors and the NHS now seems inevitable.
bbc.co.uk navigation
BBC links
BBC © 2013 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.