1980: Black Report published providing evidence of health inequalities between rich and poor.


Conservatives reject Black’s view that the government should take responsibility for this health gap.

1981: Census shows that 11 babies in every 1000 died before the age of one. In 1900 this figure was 160.

1982: Major strike by nurses over low pay.

1983: Conservatives believe the NHS should be run "more like a business".

1986: Conservative Government launches AIDS awareness campaign. This new disease will cost billions to treat.

1989: Conservative Government introduces tax discounts for those who take out private medical insurance.

1989: The British Medical Association (BMA), the doctors’ professional organisation, declares that "the NHS is not safe in Mrs Thatcher’s hands".