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Effectiveness of the Labour social welfare reforms, 1945–51Did the reforms address problems of "disease"?

The post-war Labour government introduced the Welfare State to address the 'Five Giants' of disease, squalor, want, ignorance and idleness. The measures introduced had varied levels of success.

Part of HistoryBritain (1851-1951)

Did the reforms address problems of "disease"?

National Health Service Act, 1946

Details and successes

  • National Health Service (NHS) established in 1948
  • provided free access to treatment from doctors, dentists, opticians, and hospitals
  • doctors, dentists and opticians were inundated with patients seeking treatment they previously could not afford
  • prescriptions rose from seven million per month before the NHS to 13.5 million per month in September 1948

Limitations

  • development was hampered by the country’s dated hospitals
  • by 1950 the NHS was costing £358 million per year
  • the government had to backtrack on its principle of a free service - charges introduced for spectacles (glasses) and dental treatment
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Did the reforms address problems of "want"?
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The post-war Labour government

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