Birth of the National Health Service | The early history of the NHS
CHANNEL | BBC 1
FIRST BROADCAST | 18 February 1973
DURATION | 24 minutes 58 seconds
FIRSTBROADCAST
1973
Twinkly-eyed 'Nationwide' veteran Michael Barratt asks the questions with guest agony aunt Claire Rayner offering some expert advice in this light-hearted quiz from 1973. Michael Barratt proves himself impeccably qualified to host the show by revealing that he has six children himself.
Claire Rayner initially trained as a nurse and a midwife before beginning her journalistic career as a medical correspondent on 'Woman's Own'. She went on to publish over 75 books and became one of the most famous agony aunts in the UK.
Families | Medical Care | NHS | UK Politics | Welfare State
Beveridge outlines his proposals for a new welfare state.
Two doctors debate the pros and cons of joining a National Health Service.
A Party Political Broadcast on the advantages of the new National Health Service.
Prime Minister Clement Attlee introduces and explains the new Social Services.
One year after its introduction, the founder speaks on the Health Service.
'Special Enquiry' looks at the impact of the NHS in Salford.
GPs threaten to withdraw from the NHS.
Ten years after it started, is the NHS looking healthy?
Is the health service on the brink of collapse?
Doctors discuss problems in the NHS as it approaches its 20th birthday.
James Burke asks how long the NHS can continue without breaking down completely.

Mums and dads pit their wits against each other to answer NHS-based questions.
A history of the NHS as recalled by some who were there at the beginning.
Doctors, patients and chemists share their memories of medical treatment before the NHS.
Dr Hill explains the importance of allowing public debate about the health service.
Will the Radio Doctor be too busy negotiating with the government to broadcast?
Should the BBC admit that doctors can't help to cure chillblains?
Dr Charles Hill gives his opinions on the causes and treatments of chillblains.
The Radio doctor's producer suggests broadcasting about shingles and repeating advice about dandruff.
Minutes of a meeting in which the government suggests ways that the BBC could help publicise the new Welfare State acts.
An agreement between Doctors and the NHS now seems inevitable.
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