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The NHS Turns 65

This year celebrates 65 years of the National Health Service, from the first vaccination programmes in the 1950s to the more recent life-saving surgeries, the NHS is vital to all of us. First established on 5th July 1948, it promised cradle to grave care for everyone. Until then, the British public had to rely on their insurance policies to pay for their health care because most people couldnt afford to pay medical bills. The NHS was offering a free service to everyone, regardless of how much money they had. The Labour Government promised lots of welfare measurements, NHS included, when it was elected in 1945. The service was, and still is based on the need, not the price and ability to pay. Over the past 65 years the NHS has helped to save millions of lives without charging a penny. To celebrate this milestone, the NHS has decided to continue to give, despite it being their birthday. They are now offering potentially life saving scans to men aged 65 and over. Dr Anne Mackie, Director of the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) said, I am delighted to announce today the completion of the national roll-out of the NHS AAA (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm) Screening Programme in England. It is particularly fitting, on the 65th anniversary of the launch of the National Health Service, to be able to say that all 65-year-old men can now benefit from the latest evidence-based NHS screening service. The service may seem sexist, although there is reasoning; men are six times more likely to develop the condition and around 5,000 people, most of which are men aged 65 and over, die every year of a ruptured AAA. Although the public constantly show support and gratitude towards the NHS, times have recently become tougher. There is speculation as to whether the NHS can continue to deliver a high quality service and productive care at the time of financial austerity and rising demand for services. A debate was held by the Nuffield Trust and the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) discussing whether the NHS was still fit for purpose. With so many still positive about the NHS and the great achievement of reaching 65, for most of us, it would be strange to have no free health service available 24 hours per day. Many have reminded those in doubt with Aneurin Bevans words in 1948, when the Labour Government created the NHS, The NHS will last as long as there are folk left with the faith to fight for it. 7

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22/07/2013 11:09