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In 1900, most sick people were still cared for at home. This was generally done by women as it was traditionally viewed as their role to look after members of the family. Additionally, doctors were too expensive for most families.

However, the role of the government in medicine increased throughout the 20th century. The government began to fund treatment, encourage mass vaccination and lead education programmes.

1911 National Insurance Act

The Liberal government of 1906-1914 introduced the National Insurance Act in 1911. This enabled workers to access medical care. Workers, employers and the government would pay into a fund from which medical care and treatment would be paid for. However, this support did not include the families of workers.

In 1919 the Ministry of Health was set up. This was the first government department to have an overview of health across the country. However, by the 1930s, there were still a lot of people who could not afford medical care and treatment.

The National Health Service

World War Two led to a change in access to health care in Britain. During the war many people were able to get free health care, and they wanted this to continue. In 1942 William Beveridge, a government civil servant, published a report that became known as the Beveridge Report. It recommended:

• a National Health Service that would be free for everyone
• access to medical care and treatment that would be paid for from taxes

However, there was some opposition to a National Health Service (NHS) from doctors. Previously they had worked privately, and some did not want to lose any income. Aneurin Bevan, the Minister of Health, overcame this by agreeing that doctors could continue to treat private patients.

The NHS was introduced in 1948 and marked a significant change in government involvement in medicine. Its aim was to provide free health care for all. It was paid for by taxes and showed that the British government had taken complete responsibility for health care.

Mass vaccination programmes

A series of mass vaccination programmes have been launched by the government since c1900. These include:

• diphtheria, 1942
• polio, 1950
• tetanus, 1961
• measles, 1968
• Covid-19, 2020

Government lifestyle campaigns

The government has also focused on education to help people prevent disease themselves. It has done this by promoting a healthy lifestyle. Its measures have included:

• advertising campaigns against smoking, binge drinking and unprotected sex
• encouraging people to eat more healthily and exercise