Should The Arguments For The Future Of The NHS

The National Health Service (NHS) is a relatively new institution in Britain, and whilst the healthcare

system was continually developing and improving in the decades preceding its introduction in 1948,

it has inarguably revolutionised health care in the years since. Being one of the most efficient health

care systems in the world (1) as well as being free at the point of access, it has admirers worldwide. In

light of the current uncertainties regarding the future of the NHS, I have decided to take a look back

through history at the motivations and circumstances surrounding its creation. I will be analysing the

arguments for and against its introduction that were voiced at the time, and whether or not certain

hopes and fears were justified.

Even within the Labour Party there were objections (8) ,

mostly concerning the regionalisation of hospitals, and this complaint was shared by the

Conservatives (10) . Doctors’ salaries were also a contentious issue, with Conservatives and Labour

parties disagreeing on salary regulations (10) , and doctors were largely opposed to the abolition of

their private practice and its replacement by employment by the government with salaries paid

through tax-collected funds. They feared this would take away their self-responsibility and freedom

of practice (11) . Associations that represented doctors such as the British Medical Association (BMA),

British Hospitals Association (BHA) and Medical Policy Association campaigned against the Bill,

sharing the views that doctors would be restricted in their practice and that salaries would diminish.

(10)

Arguments in favour of the NHS were focussed on the inequality of health, both in terms of where in

the country one lived and what social class one belonged to. Before the establishment of the NHS,

most medical care was paid for by the individual, though some free treatment was provided by

voluntary hospitals and through workers’ health insurance schemes. Because of the requirement

These standards allow

for better patient safety, and more consistent levels of patient care.

After the war, Labour won an unexpected landslide victory. Despite Churchill’s positive status in the

eyes of the public, Attlee had proved during the coalition government that he was a capable Politian

and leader, and the Labour election campaign appealed to the insecurity of the public following the

war in promising full employment, a comprehensive and free national health service, and increased

public spending. The Labour party gave voters hope for the future and for the post-war

reconstruction of Britain. With Labour being the main proponents of a free national health service,

their victory allowed them to follow through with plans to construct the service.