People's History of the NHS

Latest Entries from the Encyclopaedia

Outsourcing in the NHS

The expression most commonly included in descriptions of the National Health Service – “free at the point of use” – refers to one feature that most people in Britain might easily identify. That we can go to the hospital or GP and not have to pay is immediately apparent and widely known. However, arguably this is not the element of
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The Winter of Discontent in the NHS

Between October 1978 and February 1979 Britain experienced a wave of strikes on a scale that hadn’t been seen since the General Strike of 1926. First Ford workers, then lorry drivers, council workers and NHS staff all walked out causing severe disruption to public services. This series of events came to be known as “the Winter of Discontent”. This phrase,
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Insulin and Diabetes: Alan Nabarro’s Story

How insulin saved the life of Alan Nabarro and millions like him Before the discovery of insulin in 1922, a diagnosis of type-1 diabetes was a death sentence.  Alan Nabarro (1914-1977) was one of the first people in the UK whose life was saved by the new treatment, and his personal papers, which can be accessed at the Royal College
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Capturing the History of NHS at 70: The Royal College of Physicians & ‘The Museum of Modern Medicine’

In this 70th anniversary week of Britain's National Health Service, we are delighted to share a guest blog from Curator Kristin Hussey of the Royal College of Physicians (which is also celebrating a significant birthday this year: the big 5-0-0!). Happy Birthday, NHS! The museum of modern medicine What would a museum of British medicine since the foundation of the
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News & Events

NHS Birthday Wish from FLexercise!

We are delighted to publish this NHS Birthday Wish from FLexercise.  It’s a post that captures the excitement for many around the NHS birthday, and also which helps us to reflect on the long historic relationships between voluntarism and health services, and between visions of public health, personal responsibility, and state welfare.  If you want to send the NHS a
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Waiting in the NHS

The King’s Fund

Leeds Hospital Alert

Taking the NHS home: The NHS in our houses

Giving Birth under the NHS: A Brief History in 8 Objects

Graffiti and the NHS

Born in the NHS

Portraits of Bevan

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The People's History of the NHS on the BBC



Five Questions: Toyin Adeyinka

Five Questions: Dory Davies

Five Questions: Peter Salt

Five Questions: Jonny Banger

Five Questions: Alan Bennett

Five Questions: Gordon and Roy

Five Questions: Professor Dame Elizabeth Anionwu

Five Questions: Joe O’Donaghue’s First Memory

Five Questions: Dr Saeed’s First Memory

Five Questions: June Rosen’s First Memory

Peter Dunn: Five Questions about the NHS

Lorraine Leeson: Five Questions about the NHS

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