Born in Manchester, the NHS celebrates its 70th anniversary
SEVENTY years ago the NHS was born, marking the dawn of a new era for British society.
For the first time ever, people were able to access healthcare from cradle to grave, free at the point of use.
And its symbolic birthplace was created right on our doorstep – at what is now known as Trafford General. When the then health minister, Aneurin Bevan, opened Park Hospital in Trafford on July 5, 1948, the future of healthcare in the UK changed forever.
Prior to that historic moment, people had to pay for treatment or rely on charity.
The new national service meant everybody could get their hands on treatment, whether rich or poor.
It was the first system of its kind in the world.
Seven decades on, the principles at the heart of the NHS remain the same and the British service is in many ways still the envy of the world.
Yet there is no denying the health landscape has radically changed and that the service is under unprecedented pressure due to increased demand and crippling financial pressures.
Not only that, but the nature of people’s health problems, their demands and treatments have shifted dramatically.
In 1948, Britain had recently emerged from a war and diseases such as tuberculosis, mumps and polio were common.
Healthcare had always been patchy, with lots of people simply ‘getting on with it’ rather than seeking help. Now Britain faces a rising tide of obesity and caring for an ageing population.
In recent times, the health service has been rocked by numerous scandals, hospitals going bust and full-to-bursting A&E departments.
There have been bitter disputes over the closures of units and investigations into high mortality rates.
A report into the deaths of mothers and babies at North Manchester General and Royal Oldham hospitals in 2016 shocked the region and resulted in a major review into maternity care at both centres.
The care crisis at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust between 2005 and 2009 also shook the system to the core.
In the wake of the scandals, ministers and health leaders have pledged a more open and transparent health service.
Packed A&E departments with ambulances queueing outside are no longer an uncommon phenomenon during winter, which is when the service is most in demand.
Nevertheless, the NHS is still the nation’s bestloved institution.
Paramedics, nurses and doctors were among the heroes caring for those injured and traumatised after the Manchester Arena attack last year.
NHS workers are the people who give up their nights and weekends to care for our sick relatives, and help us live better lives.
And leaps in research and technology mean in many ways people are getting better healthcare and treatment than ever.