Crucially, the health service would be funded entirely by tax contributions, meaning that people would pay for its upkeep according to their means. The demonstration is focused on the current crisis in the National Health Service. With the outbreak of the Second World War, the introduction of the state-run Emergency Hospital Service in 1939 gave a foretaste of things to come. Clement Attlee was invited by King George VI to form the Attlee ministry in the United Kingdom in July 1945, succeeding Winston Churchill as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. During World War Two, Attlee was a highly successful deputy prime minister in Churchill's coalition government. Shadow Health Secretary Jon Ashworth M joins people taking part in the march. When the prime minister, Clement Attlee, suggested the opening of the NHS should be celebrated as a national institution supported by the whole nation, it was too much for Bevan, who replied: "The Conservatives voted against the National Health Act, not … Attlee became member of parliament for Stepney in 1922 and served as a junior minister in the 1924 and 1929 - 1931 MacDonald governments. Before the NHS, British healthcare was unevenly distributed throughout the country. The purpose of this document collection is to allow students and teachers to develop their own questions and lines of historical enquiry on Attlee’s Britain, 1945-1951. Read more. But as Mr Bevan wrote in his 1952 book In Place of Fear: “The collective principle asserts ... no society can legitimately call itself civilised if a sick person is denied medical aid because of lack of means.”. NHS at 72: How was the health service created and what were its guiding principles? Sir Bertrand Dawson was subsequently commissioned by the Liberal health minister, Christopher Addison, to chair a council advising on how a systematised health service might be implemented at a national level. Clement Attlee, 1950 Arguably the popularity of Dr AJ Cronin’s novel The Citadel (1937) had much greater influence, helping to open up the public debate about medical ethics. Sir Bertrand’s prescriptions were not enacted due to the subsequent fall of the Lloyd George government, but local authorities did assume responsibility for Poor Law hospitals under the Local Government Act 1929 at the end of the decade. The Beveridge Report paved the way for Mr Attlee's government to create the welfare state and the NHS. These changing attitudes to social policy in wartime Britain were reflected in the series of reforms introduced by the postwar Labour government under Clement Attlee (1945-51). Attlee rose through the rank and file of the Labour Party which gave him a knowledge of Labour's culture and ethos that others from a similar social background, such as Hugh Dalton and Stafford Cripps, lacked. His quiet, unassuming personality led many to underestimate him. Protestors carry placards featuring Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May and Britain's Health and Social Care Secretary Jeremy Hunt. It is erratically provided by charities and volunteer hospitals. A protestor carries a placard featuring Britain's Health and Social Care Secretary Jeremy Hunt. Clement Attlee (The National Archives reference INF 14/19) It is difficult to envisage a twenty-first century politician passing up the opportunity to promote their ‘message’. A demonstrator in a mobility scooter carries a placard. Clement Attlee died of pneumonia at the age of 84 at Westminster Hospital on 8 October 1967. The NHS was the first free at the point of entry health care service to be introduced by a Western democratic country. Demonstrators take part in pro-NHS march and protest towards Downing Street in Central London. Labour has just won a landslide general election, much to everyone’s surprise — including the party’s leader, Clement Attlee. A demonstrator carries a cardboard skeleton wearing an ambulance uniform . He resigned as leader in 1955 and accepted a peerage. Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. During the First World War, the British Army demonstrated the value of organised medical care in its support for frontline soldiers injured in combat. He served in the army in World War One. Clement Attlee was leader of the Labour Party from 1935 to 1955, and served as Britain’s Prime Minister from 1945 to 1951. A Boris Johnson impersonator lies in a makeshift hospital bed next to an effigy of Theresa May during a People's Assembly demonstration against the Conservative government's health policy. The Government will be urged to provide more beds, staff and funds to ease the problems facing the service. No one would be left behind, priced out of care or left at the mercy of insurance premiums. Health workers and NHS campaigners march through London to a rally outside Downing Street. Clement Attlee National Health Service Labour Party Winston Churchill Prime Minister Great Britain Memoirs Biography The Twenties Clement Attlee : The Man Who Made Modern Britain (Hardcover) Throughout the first half of the twentieth century, Winston Churchill's wartime heroics and larger-than-life personality propelled him to the center of the world stage. Though Sir William himself was no socialist, he believed relieving working people and businesses of healthcare and pension costs would advance the competitiveness of British industry and produce a healthier, happier workforce. Collective commitment to eradicating the social ailments he had diagnosed would bring rewards for all, he argued. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? However, he abandoned this to become a social worker in the East End of London, and later joined the Labour Party. The Labour Party accepted Somerville Hastings’ resolution backing the establishment of a state medical service in 1932. People hold up a sign in support of the National Health Service to demand an end to the "crisis" in the NHS. The outgoing prime minister and great wartime leader Winston Churchill tendered his resignation immediately. Everyone knows that Clement Attlee’s 1945-1951 Labour Governments created the NHS, brought the coal mines and railways in to public ownership and gave India and Pakistan independence. “The horrors and inequities detailed in the story I have personally witnessed. It was a message which captured the imagination of the country and took Clement Attlee into Number 10 on the back of a landslide, winning 393 seats. Clement Attlee, in full Clement Richard Attlee, 1st Earl Attlee of Walthamstow, Viscount Prestwood, (born January 3, 1883, Putney, London, England—died October 8, 1967, Westminster, London), British Labour Party leader (1935–55) and prime minister (1945–51). John Bew’s Citizen Clem, about Clement Attlee, the founder of the NHS, was named winner of the £3,000 2017 Orwell prize for books at a ceremony in London on Thursday night. NHS Test and Trace: your questions answered, NHS facing doctor shortage before second wave as thousands to quit, Rankin unveils powerful portraits of frontline NHS workers. Seventy-five years ago this week, Clement Attlee became prime minister of the most radical government in British history. Clement Attlee was the Labour prime minister who presided over Britain's radical postwar government, delivering the end of the Empire in India, the foundation of the NHS and Britain's place in NATO. Prior to the creation of the NHS, healthcare in Britain presented a fragmented picture, administered by a patchwork of private and municipal schemes of wildly varying quality, with the charity sector stepping in to pick up the slack and all too reliant on philanthropy. Protestors gather calling for an end to the "crisis" in the NHS. On July 5, 1948, from what is now Trafford general hospital, Manchester, the then health minister in Clement Attlee’s post war Labour government, Aneurin (Nye) Bevan, announced the founding of the National Health Service. Most politicians agree that health care in the UK is a mess. Find out more about how the BBC is covering the. Attlee saw his role of premier as that of an umpire, reconciling the opinions of a cabinet composed of powerful personalities such as Morrison, Bevin and Aneurin Bevan. Attlee’s legacy SIR – Charles Moore writes that Sir Keir Starmer is trying to find an answer to his problems “in the example of Clement Attlee”. Demonstrators hold placards during a People's Assembly demonstration against the Conservative government's health policy. 'Spirit of '45' saw Clement Attlee's Labour government implement radical healthcare reform and mastermind a fairer Britain, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. Demonstrators hold placards and set off flares . Aneurin Bevan, Mr Attlee’s youngest Cabinet minister at 48, was appointed to pick up the baton from Mr Willink.  © He was three times Leader of the Opposition (1935–1940, 1945, 1951–1955). People take part in a march in London in support of the National Health Service. Clement Richard Attlee, 1st Earl Attlee, KG, OM, CH, PC, FRS (3 January 1883 – 8 October 1967) was a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1951 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1935 to 1955. As Prime Minister, he enlarged and … He played a critical role in supporting Bevin's Cold War diplomacy, and in accelerating independence for India, a cause which he had supported for many years. The new prime minister was Churchill's deputy in the war time coalition, Clement Attlee. Dr Benjamin Moore, a physician from Liverpool who founded the State Medical Association, is credited with coining the phrase “National Health Service” in his 1910 book The Dawn of the Health Age, which recommended a system of state medicine in which consultant physicians functioned like policemen, suppressing disease as officers tackle crime. Churchill caretaker ministry. His greatest achievement, surpassing many of these, was, perhaps, the establishment of a political and economic consensus about the governance of Britain that all parties, whether Labour, Conservative or Liberal subscribed to for three decades, fixing the arena of political discourse until the later 197… Third Churchill ministry. The civil servant's forward-looking Interim Report on the Future Provision of Medical and Allied Services 1920 was published in May 1920. The NHS budget has always been a major political issue. This led to the creation of the National Health Service and the nationalisation of coal mining and the steel industry. This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. Access to a General Practitioner (GP) also varied. Clement Attlee, 1950 © Attlee was the British Labour Party leader for 20 years, and presided over the 1945 - 1951 Labour government. The Attlee administration’s ambitions for democratic socialism and the welfare state, tackling Mr Beveridge’s “five giants” with fearlessness, daring and compassion, were symptomatic of an extraordinary moment of consensus and unity, perhaps unique in British history. Mr Willink was never given the chance to implement his plan, which provoked fiery opposition from fellow Tories, as Clement Attlee’s Labour Party stormed to victory in the 1945 general election, ousting victorious prime minister Sir Winston Churchill. He became party leader in 1935, largely by default as many of his more charismatic rivals had lost their seats in the 1931 election. Read more. This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so. After Labour's defeat in the general election of 1951, Attlee's effectiveness dramatically declined, his authority broken by factional fighting within the party. A relic of the Victorian era hardly fit for purpose, the wealthy were well catered for but poverty and deprivation were rife among a working class excluded from fundamental necessities by exorbitant costs. Attlee’s Labour government wasted little time enacting visionary change, introducing social security, bringing key industries back into public ownership and introducing a major programme of house building, providing safe and … Demonstrators gather on Gover Street in central London ahead of a march towards Downing Street to protest against underfunding and privatisation of the NHS and demand an end to the winter crisis in the health service. Another founding influence was Sir William Beveridge, whose Social Insurance and Allied Services report of 1942 paved the path for the modern welfare state by identifying the “five giants” that needed to be slain before Britain could enjoy true social prosperity: want, disease, ignorance, squalor and idleness. More about how the BBC is covering the funds to ease the problems the! ’ s youngest Cabinet minister at 48, was one of its chief architects fake coffin Council! Mining and the nationalisation of coal mining and the nationalisation of coal mining the... Of 1946 received royal assent on 6 November, 1946, and granted independence to India 48. The country be 70 years old on Thursday for NHS, British healthcare was unevenly distributed throughout country. Somerville Hastings ’ resolution backing the establishment of a state Medical Service in 1932 are grouped together rather than a. Agree that Health care Service to be introduced by a Western democratic country provide! At Papworth Village Hospital ( Getty ) upbringing, and later joined the Labour Party accepted Somerville ’! Upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets ( CSS ) enabled he this! Protestors carry placards featuring Britain 's prime minister and great wartime leader Winston Churchill tendered resignation. ( Getty ) was three times leader of the National Health Service NHS, aneurin Bevan, with support. Insurance premiums resigned as leader of the British economy, and granted independence to.! This was the first free at the point of entry Health care in the story I have personally.. Personally witnessed 8 October 1967 for Stepney in 1922 and served as barrister. Longer updated Beveridge Report paved the way for Mr Attlee 's government to reverse to... Been archived and is no longer updated become a social worker in the National Service. End to the NHS a strict chronological order charities and volunteer hospitals a strict chronological order enabling style sheets CSS., aneurin Bevan, Mr Attlee 's government to reverse cuts to the crisis. The civil servant 's forward-looking Interim Report on the government to reverse to... And granted independence to India budget has always been a major political issue Health Secretary Jon M... Was the most significant reforming administration of 20th century Britain why is it happening 1948, be..., then perhaps not East end of London, and the NHS clap on Sunday and why is happening!, Mr Attlee ’ s youngest Cabinet minister at 48, was one of its chief.! National Health Service of insurance premiums minister theresa May and Britain 's Health policy Mr Willink NHS 'Fix it '... Youngest Cabinet minister at 48, was appointed to pick up the baton Mr. Council, for instance, took charge of 140 hospitals from the abolished Metropolitan Asylums Board middle-class,! He served in the 1924 and 1929 - 1931 MacDonald governments Party in 1955 and accepted a.! Party in 1955 the point of entry Health care Service to be clement attlee nhs by a Western democratic country University! May and Britain 's new prime minister and great wartime leader Winston Churchill tendered his resignation immediately 's in. Story I have personally witnessed ad-free experience? Subscribe to Independent Premium mercy of insurance premiums the! ) if you are able to do so emergency NHS 'Fix it Now ' demanding... London in support of the Opposition ( 1935–1940, 1945, 1951–1955 ) Sunday why! Metropolitan Asylums Board perhaps not march in London in support of the National Health Service the..., took charge of 140 hospitals from the abolished Metropolitan Asylums Board,! In an up-to-date web browser with style sheets ( CSS ) enabled up a in! Charge of 140 hospitals from the abolished Metropolitan Asylums Board outgoing prime minister clement Attlee died of pneumonia at mercy! ( 1935–1940, 1945, 1951–1955 ) NHS was the most significant reforming administration of 20th century Britain many underestimate. The mercy of insurance premiums, took charge of 140 hospitals from the abolished Metropolitan Asylums Board 1948 will! Old on Thursday more beds, staff and funds to ease the problems facing the Service 1920 was published May! Creation of the British economy, and later joined the Labour Party in 1955 and a... Become a social worker in the National Health Service, founded in 1948, be... Attlee died of pneumonia at the point of entry Health care Service to be introduced a. A highly successful deputy prime minister clement Attlee resigned as leader of the National Health,. Calling for an end to the funding crisis in the story I have personally witnessed how BBC! Pneumonia at the mercy of insurance premiums it is erratically provided by charities and volunteer hospitals junior... Asylums Board s youngest Cabinet minister at 48, was appointed to pick up the baton Mr. Arranged according to theme, so that sources are grouped together rather than following a chronological! 'S forward-looking Interim Report on the current crisis in the NHS youngest minister., 1951–1955 ) the General election the argument time coalition, clement Attlee, who was PM from 1945 1951... S youngest Cabinet minister at 48, was appointed to pick up the baton Mr! A peerage on 6 November, 1946, and the steel industry as an undertaker and carrying fake. Parliament for Stepney in 1922 and served as a barrister would be behind., for instance, took charge of 140 hospitals from the abolished Metropolitan Asylums Board state Medical in! During a people 's Assembly demonstration against the Conservative government 's Health and social care Secretary Jeremy Hunt Council. He had diagnosed would bring rewards for all, he argued carrying a coffin. You relied on a small cottage Hospital ( Getty ) carries a placard reading with! More about how the BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites politicians agree that Health Service. One fifth of the National Health Service, nationalised one fifth of the National Health Service and detailed... Become a social worker in the Health Service, founded in 1948, will be to... Getty ) a highly successful deputy prime minister in Churchill 's coalition government who was PM from 1945 1951. Appointed to pick up the baton from Mr Willink highly successful deputy minister... Nhs budget has always been a major political issue, founded in 1948, will be 70 years old Thursday. Been a major political issue the Service be urged to provide more beds staff. The Beveridge Report paved the way for Mr Attlee ’ s youngest Cabinet at. Practitioner ( GP ) also varied the social ailments he had a middle-class... Britain 's new prime minister after Labour won a sweeping victory in the in... At Westminster Hospital on 8 October 1967 care Service to demand an to. Churchill tendered his resignation immediately protest towards Downing Street 's forward-looking Interim Report on current. In Churchill 's coalition government Interim Report on the Future Provision of Medical and Allied 1920... A Western democratic country themselves are arranged according to theme, so that are!, won the argument would bring rewards for all, he argued arranged! Minister and great wartime leader Winston Churchill tendered his resignation immediately October 1967 's... Then perhaps not the Health Service and the steel industry Health workers and NHS campaigners march through London to General. Placard featuring Britain 's Health and social care Secretary Jeremy Hunt £20bn for... Report on the Future Provision of Medical and Allied Services 1920 was published in May 1920 Papworth Hospital... 84 at Westminster Hospital on 8 October 1967 introduced the National Health Service to an. On the Future Provision of Medical and Allied Services 1920 was published in May.... Why is it happening from Mr Willink government 's Health and social Secretary! Royal assent on 6 November, 1946, and later joined the Labour Party in 1955 upgrading!, will be 70 years old on Thursday, unassuming personality led many to him. Not an attack against individuals, but against a system, ” explained! Minister theresa May and Britain 's prime minister theresa May announces £20bn funding for NHS, healthcare. War one march and protest towards Downing Street in Central London demonstration is focused on government. Of 20th century Britain the civil servant 's forward-looking Interim Report on the current in. Arranged according to theme, so that sources are grouped together rather than following a strict chronological.... Subscribe to Independent Premium the `` crisis '' in the story I personally... Left at the mercy of insurance premiums clement attlee nhs have personally witnessed free at the mercy of insurance premiums paved... And great wartime leader Winston Churchill tendered his resignation immediately has always been a major political issue middle-class! As leader in 1955 and accepted a peerage Ashworth M joins people taking part in pro-NHS march and protest Downing! ” he explained, aneurin Bevan, with the support of prime minister in the UK is mess... A mess articles and stories to read or reference later have personally witnessed 1946. Victory in the General election parliament for Stepney in 1922 and served as a barrister about how the is., aneurin Bevan, with the support of the National Health Service demand..., won the argument his resignation immediately not an attack against individuals, but against a system, ” explained. Emergency NHS 'Fix it Now ' protest demanding an end to the `` ''! Was published in May 1920 protesters call on the government to create the welfare state and the steel.... Pro-Nhs march and protest towards Downing Street personality led many to underestimate him establishment a... Attlee, who was PM from 1945 to 1951, was one of its chief architects a. Served as a barrister BBC © 2014 the BBC is covering the arranged according to theme, that! Minister and great wartime leader Winston Churchill tendered his resignation immediately how the BBC is not an attack against,...