Labour and the NHS

60 years ago, Labour created the NHS. It was born in a society where healthcare was exclusive, expensive and unavailable for many ordinary people. To most citizens, illness meant desperation, suffering and even destitution. Thousands died from diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, tuberculosis, diphtheria and polio because they could not afford treatment. Britain needed a system that provided healthcare to everyone, free at the point of delivery, based on need and not the ability to pay.

It was the Beveridge Report that demonstrated the need for universal healthcare and it was the Labour Government that made it a reality. Despite opposition from the Tories, who voted against its creation, the NHS was launched in 1948. Through its early years, times were tough but the NHS helped the British people cope with post-war society. For the first time ever hospital services, family practitioner services (doctors, pharmacists, opticians and dentists) and community-based services were available to the public for free under one organisation.

Since then, the NHS has proved itself vital to the British people. It has been a source of confidence as families know that they will receive the best possible treatment, whatever their financial circumstances. The NHS became a symbol of freedom from fear and of a government on your side.

But... the Tories wrecked it

When Labour inherited it from the Tories in 1997, the NHS was on its knees. Years of neglect were reflected in crumbling hospitals, a severe lack of doctors, nurses and equipment and long and growing waiting lists.

Labour’s investment and modernisation saved the NHS.

Now the Tories say they’ve changed, but behind the slick salesmanship their plans would take the NHS back to the 1980s.

The Tories say they would scrap Labour’s extended GP opening hours.

The Tories want to scrap national waiting time targets – meaning waiting times would be allowed to grow and grow and new postcode lotteries would spring up.
The Tories want to bring back longer working hours for doctors and nurses, putting patient safety at risk.

The Tories are opposing Labour’s plans for 152 new GP-led health centres across the country, open 8am-8pm seven days a week.
The Tories have admitted that they would allow local hospitals to go bust.

Labour saved it


Saving the NHS took massive investment and modernisation, as well as the commitment and support of NHS staff. But together, we did it.

Labour, the party of the NHS, has delivered a health service that is saving more lives, treating more patients and is faster than ever before. And now we’re making the NHS more personal, so that it meets your needs and the needs of your family, and prevents ill-health as well as curing it.