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1940

The Old People's Welfare Committee

During the Second World War, a group (later known as Age UK) organised to improve older people's welfare.

2 December 1942

Beveridge report

The Inter-Departmental Committee led by Sir William Beveridge, considered a founding father of the NHS, published recommendations on social insurance and allied services.

March 1944

National Health Service white paper

The wartime coalition government set out its vision for a comprehensive, free and unified health service.

1 August 1946

The National Insurance Act 1946

A range of benefits, including sickness benefit, were available to those paying NI contributions.

6 November 1946

National Health Service Act 1946

Following on from the 1944 white paper, the Act provided for the establishment of a free, universal and comprehensive health service for England and Wales.

13 May 1948

The National Assistance Act 1948

Leglisation drew a distinction between chargeable services provided by local authorities and free NHS services.

5 July 1948

Establishment of the National Health Service

The NHS took control of 480,000 hospital beds in England and Wales, that had belonged to local authorities, or were independent voluntary hospitals.

June 1957

The Percy Commission

The Report of the Royal Commission on the Law Relating to Mental Illness and Mental Deficiency (chaired by Baron Percy of Newcastle) recommended that care should be provided in the community.

29 July 1959

The Mental Health Act 1959

Legislation was introduced to implement the Percy Commission's 1957 recommendations to move care for people with 'a mental disorder' into the community.

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