In a series tracing decisive moments in the life of our National Health Service, medical historian Sally Sheard tells the story of how emergency medical provision during the Second World War gave the British public a taste of what a national health system might look like.

As the Second World War loomed, it was clear that Britain's crumbling health service would be unable to cope with the expected casualties.

There was also a growing fear that overcrowded hostels and air raid shelters would trigger epidemics of diseases like diphtheria.

So the government was galvanised into action. They brought Britain's patchwork of hospitals into one integrated Emergency Medical Service and introduced mass immunisation for children.

Producer: Beth Eastwood. Show less