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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.

31 March 1950

'Public Health in 1948: remarkable statistics' report

The Ministry of Health published a report examining health and mortality outcomes during the first months of the NHS.

30 September 1950

First UK report linking smoking to cancer

The work of Richard Doll and Tony Bradford Hill was instrumental in determining that most lung cancers were caused by cigarette smoking.

1954

The Bradbeer report on internal administration of hospitals

The Bradbeer Committee published a report highlighting variation in methods of administration in different hospitals and recommending changes to their administration.

1956

The NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme

In the context of a growing focus on the administrative structure of the NHS, the first national administrative training scheme was inaugurated.

January 1956

The Guillebaud Report

The Committee of Enquiry into the Cost of the National Health Service, led by CW Guillebaud, published its report, highlighting underfunding of the NHS.

July 1956

Clean Air Act 1956

Legislation aimed at tackling the smog and air pollution created by the burning of coal and industrial activities.

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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