4.2.5

The NHS

Test yourself

Social Changes After World War One

War highlighted the inequality in the postwar world, leading to many later reforms.

Illustrative background for War highlighted inequalityIllustrative background for War highlighted inequality ?? "content

War highlighted inequality

  • When children were evacuated to the countryside, more people realised the differences in living standards between people in different areas.
    • Some evacuated children were in a very unhealthy state.
  • The need to raise large armies made the government aware of the problems created for society by an unhealthy workforce.
Illustrative background for Reforms to reward soldiers after WW1Illustrative background for Reforms to reward soldiers after WW1 ?? "content

Reforms to reward soldiers after WW1

  • The government realised the importance of having a healthy population. David Lloyd George wanted to have ‘homes fit for heroes’.
  • After the First World War, overcrowded housing was banned.
  • In 1918, it became compulsory for local councils to provide health visits and support for pregnant women.
  • In 1919, councils started to build housing for poor families.
Illustrative background for Ministry of Health Illustrative background for Ministry of Health  ?? "content

Ministry of Health

  • In 1919, a Ministry for Health was set up.
    • This looked after sanitation, healthcare and the training of doctors and nurses.
Illustrative background for Later reformsIllustrative background for Later reforms ?? "content

Later reforms

  • In 1934, the Free School Milk Act meant children could have free milk in schools. This was critical as Britain was hit by the Great Depression.
  • Evacuated children in the Second World War triggered outrage as people saw how unhealthy they were.
  • Almost 1 million homes were built by the Labour government between 1945 and 1952. The New Towns Act of 1946 created whole new towns (like Milton Keynes and Telford) close to large cities.

The Beveridge Report and the Welfare State

In 1942, Sir William Beveridge (a Liberal politician) wrote a report about the state (government) called the Beveridge Report. It was very popular and sold over 100,000 copies within a month.

Illustrative background for The Beveridge ReportIllustrative background for The Beveridge Report ?? "content

The Beveridge Report

  • The report claimed that everyone had a right to be free of the ‘five giants’: disease, want, ignorance, idleness and squalor.
  • It highlighted that people’s quality of life needed to improve and suggested that the government should be responsible for this.
  • The report suggested that welfare should be available to everyone in need. It should be paid for by tax payers, non-means tested (available to everyone) and compulsory for everyone.
Illustrative background for The Welfare StateIllustrative background for The Welfare State ?? "content

The Welfare State

  • The government’s involvement in improving public health and social security is called the welfare state.
  • The welfare state was implemented by the Labour Party led by Clement Attlee in 1945.
  • The welfare state included a health service that was “free at the point of delivery”, a weekly allowance for families to look after their children and a ‘benefits’ system to give financial help to the very poor.
Illustrative background for Later reforms and reportsIllustrative background for Later reforms and reports ?? "content

Later reforms and reports

  • In 1946, the New Towns Act was set up to plan new towns.
  • In 1956, the Clean Air Act established smokeless zones in cities.
  • In 1980, the Black Report said that there were still inequalities in health between the rich and poor.

Jump to other topics

1Medicine in Medieval England

2The Medical Renaissance in England

3Medicine in 18th & 19th Century Britain

4Medicine in Modern Britain

5Treatment in WW1

6Themes in Medicine

7Some Extra Context (Not Compulsory for Exam)

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson