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Sally Sheard on the characters, innovations and heroic standoffs that have shaped the NHS.

On 5 July 1948, healthcare in Britain became free for all. Sally Sheard reveals the characters, innovations and heroic standoffs that have shaped the NHS.

On 5 July 1948, for the first time anywhere in the world, healthcare in Britain became free for all. Sally Sheard reveals the characters, innovations and heroic standoffs that have shaped the NHS.

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National Health Stories: Remedies of War

Remedies of War

20/06/2018

BBC Radio 4 - National Health Stories, Remedies of War

How the Second World War helped to shape the National Health Service.

Britain's emergency medical provision during the Second World War gave the public a taste of what a national health system might look like.

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.

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