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The course will explore how and why the National Health Service (NHS) was created in 1948; how it was consolidated and developed through the 1950s to 1970s; how it was reorganised in the 1980s and 1990s; and the challenges it has faced since 2010 including the impact of Covid. All aspects of the service will be examined including GP, mental health, maternity and elderly care services.
What will we cover?
1919-45: the origins of the NHS
1945-48: Nye Bevan and the creation of the NHS
1948-70: Consolidation and development of the NHS
1970-79: Reorganisation and retrenchment
1979-97 Thatcherism, the markets and the NHS
1997-2010: New Labour, New Plan
2010 to the present day: The NHS in age of austerity and Covid-19
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Evaluate key developments in the NHS since 1945
Critically reflect on the political, social, and economic impact of the NHS 1948 to the present day
Critically reflect on the development of different aspects/services of the NHS since 1948
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
An outline course; no previous knowledge required. An interest in the topic and a willingness to engage constructively in class discussions/debates are the only requirements.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will be delivered through a mixture of formal tutor input and discussion with student participationencouraged.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Pen and paper for any voluntary note taking. Below is an optional reading list:
Seaton, Andrew. Our NHS: A history of Britain's best loved institution. Yale University Press, 2023.
Klein, Rudolf, and Martin Powell. The new politics of the NHS: from creation to reinvention. CRC Press, 2025.
Webster, Charles. The national health service: A political history. Oxford University Press, 2002.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Six drugs that changed the world: from aspirin to chemotherapy
David has over twenty years’ experience in secondary schools and higher education. He holds a degree in Economics and History and a MA in History from Oxford Brookes University and has been an active member of the Historical Association (HA) and was recently a member of the People of 1381 Teacher Fellowship programme. He has also presented at history education conferences in Europe and the USA. His specific area of teaching expertise is post-1945 British political, economic, and social history particularly the 1978-79 Winter of Discontent and the Thatcher governments 1979-1990 but he teaches beyond these topics: British history 1603-1997; Russian history 1881-1990; American history 1865-2008, particularly the struggle for black equality; the use of popular music in history learning; and medicine history, c.1300 to the present day; and migration c. 1700 to the present day. David spends his spare time tending an unruly allotment, purveying homemade jam, and listening to Northern Soul music.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/from-cradle-to-the-grave-a-history-of-the-nhs-1948-to-the-present3048691From cradle to the grave: a history of the NHS 1948 to the presenthttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/h/h/hhs18-a-history-of-the-nhs-1948-to-the-present-1080.jpg169169GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Online courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/The history of science2285117711781731134721228511771178<p>The course examines the creation, consolidation, development and reorganizations of the NHS from 1948 to the present day. </p>003048670From cradle to the grave: a history of the NHS 1948 to the present169169https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/h/h/hhs18-a-history-of-the-nhs-1948-to-the-present-1080_1.jpgInStockEveningTueOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-10-27T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allOct 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHHS18169169From cradle to the grave: a history of the NHS 1948 to the present169110169David Ingledewfrom-cradle-to-the-grave-a-history-of-the-nhs-1948-to-the-present/hhs18-2627<p>The course examines the creation, consolidation, development and reorganizations of the NHS from 1948 to the present day. </p>0000-Available|2026-10-27 00:00:00<p>The course will explore how and why the National Health Service (NHS) was created in 1948; how it was consolidated and developed through the 1950s to 1970s; how it was reorganised in the 1980s and 1990s; and the challenges it has faced since 2010 including the impact of Covid. All aspects of the service will be examined including GP, mental health, maternity and elderly care services.</p><p>The course examines the creation, consolidation, development and reorganizations of the NHS from 1948 to the present day. </p><p>1919-45: the origins of the NHS</p><p>1945-48: Nye Bevan and the creation of the NHS</p><p>1948-70: Consolidation and development of the NHS</p><p>1970-79: Reorganisation and retrenchment </p><p>1979-97 Thatcherism, the markets and the NHS</p><p>1997-2010: New Labour, New Plan</p><p>2010 to the present day: The NHS in age of austerity and Covid-19</p><p></p><p>Evaluate key developments in the NHS since 1945</p><p>Critically reflect on the political, social, and economic impact of the NHS 1948 to the present day</p><p>Critically reflect on the development of different aspects/services of the NHS since 1948 </p><p>An outline course; no previous knowledge required. An interest in the topic and a willingness to engage constructively in class discussions/debates are the only requirements.</p><p>The course will be delivered through a mixture of formal tutor input and discussion with student participationencouraged.<br></p><p>Pen and paper for any voluntary note taking. Below is an optional reading list:</p><p>Seaton, Andrew. <em>Our NHS: A history of Britain's best loved institution.</em> Yale University Press, 2023.</p><p>Klein, Rudolf, and Martin Powell. <em>The new politics of the NHS: from creation to reinvention</em>. CRC Press, 2025.</p><p>Webster, Charles. <em>The national health service: A political history</em>. Oxford University Press, 2002.</p><p>Six drugs that changed the world: from aspirin to chemotherapy</p>HistoryThe history of sciencevirtual169169110HHS18NONETue27/10/26 - 08/12/2619:30 - 21:0019:3021:007 sessions (over 7 weeks)75-10 weeksEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineDavid IngledewBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-10-27T00:00:00+00:00Oct 2026Culture, history & humanities169169From cradle to the grave: a history of the NHS 1948 to the presentfrom-cradle-to-the-grave-a-history-of-the-nhs-1948-to-the-present/hhs18-2627<p>The course examines the creation, consolidation, development and reorganizations of the NHS from 1948 to the present day. </p>0000-Available|2026-10-27 00:00:00<p>The course will explore how and why the National Health Service (NHS) was created in 1948; how it was consolidated and developed through the 1950s to 1970s; how it was reorganised in the 1980s and 1990s; and the challenges it has faced since 2010 including the impact of Covid. All aspects of the service will be examined including GP, mental health, maternity and elderly care services.</p><p>The course examines the creation, consolidation, development and reorganizations of the NHS from 1948 to the present day. </p><p>1919-45: the origins of the NHS</p><p>1945-48: Nye Bevan and the creation of the NHS</p><p>1948-70: Consolidation and development of the NHS</p><p>1970-79: Reorganisation and retrenchment </p><p>1979-97 Thatcherism, the markets and the NHS</p><p>1997-2010: New Labour, New Plan</p><p>2010 to the present day: The NHS in age of austerity and Covid-19</p><p></p><p>Evaluate key developments in the NHS since 1945</p><p>Critically reflect on the political, social, and economic impact of the NHS 1948 to the present day</p><p>Critically reflect on the development of different aspects/services of the NHS since 1948 </p><p>An outline course; no previous knowledge required. An interest in the topic and a willingness to engage constructively in class discussions/debates are the only requirements.</p><p>The course will be delivered through a mixture of formal tutor input and discussion with student participationencouraged.<br></p><p>Pen and paper for any voluntary note taking. Below is an optional reading list:</p><p>Seaton, Andrew. <em>Our NHS: A history of Britain's best loved institution.</em> Yale University Press, 2023.</p><p>Klein, Rudolf, and Martin Powell. <em>The new politics of the NHS: from creation to reinvention</em>. CRC Press, 2025.</p><p>Webster, Charles. <em>The national health service: A political history</em>. Oxford University Press, 2002.</p><p>Six drugs that changed the world: from aspirin to chemotherapy</p>HistoryThe history of scienceconfigurable
134721178The history of sciencehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/the-history-of-science1/2/285/1177/1178/134721/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/The history of science
