1948 - Introduction of the NHS (UK Labour Government, Attlee)

The UK's Labour government introduced the National Health Service (NHS) in 1948, with many attributing the founding to Aneurin Bevan (Labour's Minister for Health). Labour came to power in 1945, led by Clement Attlee.Show more

There are four implementations of the NHS in the UK: NHS England, the NHS Scotland, HSC Northern Ireland and NHS Wales, each with a unique implementation of legislation.

The NHS originally had four core principles:
- That it meet the needs of everyone
- That it be free at the point of delivery
- That it be based on clinical need, not ability to pay

However in July, 2000 this was extended to include:
- Provide a comprehensive range of services
- Shape its services around the needs and preferences of individual patients, - their families and their carers
- Respond to the different needs of different populations
- Work continuously to improve the quality of services and to minimise errors
- Support and value its staff
- Use public funds for healthcare devoted solely to NHS patients
- Work with others to ensure a seamless service for patients
- Help to keep people healthy and work to reduce health inequalities
- Respect the confidentiality of individual patients and provide open access to information about services, treatment and performance

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), assumes political responsibility for the National Health Service (NHS).

The NHS replaced the "panel" system following WW2.