Imagine what it was like in 1948 to have this NHS pamphlet through your door. Free health care for “Everyone – rich or poor”.
Britain’s health care system, pre-1948, did not work well. It was a patchwork of institutions which were not accessible according to need. Lack of access to hospital care and lack of access to health care for dependants – the families of working men – were common. Many people couldn’t afford health cover and had to use self-medication or medicines bought over the counter from the local pharmacist. As a result, an illness, or paying for medical attendance at a birth, could cause major financial problems for families across the country.
Today’s changes are as radical as in 1948. But, unsurprisingly, the Coalition Government won’t be sending you a leaflet to tell you about them:
- £20 billion cuts to the NHS
- £8 billion contracts given to profit-making companies in one year alone
- 600,000 NHS jobs to go
- Emergency Services in Crisis
Find out what’s going on with healthcare services locally and across the UK.
Discuss what we can do to stop the privatisation of our NHS.
With Caroline Lucas MP, Dr Lucy Reynolds (health economist) NHS campaigners and health care workers.