‘The creation of the NHS was the most significant factor in the treatment of illness in the
20th century’ How far do you agree?
You may use the following in your answer:
• NHS
• Magic bullets
You must use knowledge of your own [16 marks + 4 marks SPAG]
I agree fully that the creation of the NHS was the most significant factor in the treatment of
illness in the 20th Century. The NHS allowed people, for the first time in British history, to
have access to satisfactory medical care for free. Previously, physicians and doctors were
expensive so many people relied on herbal remedies and other inadequate treatments for
illness. Access to healthcare greatly improved the standard of living and reduced the death
rate as people’s health improved. Factors such as improvements in technology and the work
of individuals were also significant factors in the improvements in the treatment of illness in
the 20th Century, however, the NHS allowed these improvements to occur and be
implemented in our modern-day healthcare system. Need to make criteria clear
The NHS provided a safe, sanitary environment for people to be treated for disease. The
NHS provided services such as community clinics for immunisations and maternity care,
school medical services, pharmacies for the dispensation of medicines and doctor’s
prescriptions, and many more all free of charge. This opened up medical care to the working
class who would not normally have been able to afford the service. Remember question is
about treatments
The work of individuals and development in technology was also a significant factor in the
improvement of medical treatments in the 20th Century, however, it was the NHS that
allowed the advancements made in technology to continue and be used. The First World
War acted as a catalyst for improvements in technology used in the diagnosis and treatment
of disease. For example, the war brought about the increased use of static x-rays in hospitals
and mobile x-ray units which were used to identify shrapnel and bullets in wounds which
could cause an infection if not removed. The use of x-rays greatly reduced the mortality
rate. After the war, x-rays continued to be used in hospitals. Without the NHS, x-rays may
never have become as essential as they now are in healthcare as many people would be
unable to afford to make use of the machines due to the cost. The technology behind them
is continually advancing due to the necessity of their use and the funding provided to the
researchers by the NHS and the government. The NHS provides various courses of
treatment available for illnesses, for example, lung cancer could now be treated using
multiple routes: an operation to remove the tumour, a lung transplant, radiotherapy,
chemotherapy and genetic research. These new courses of treatment were available for use
as a result of improving technology and the availability of this technology. Without the NHS,
people would be unable to afford these expensive courses of treatment and would die from
curable diseases. The NHS greatly reduces the mortality rate as fewer people suffer and die
from preventable causes. That is why it is the greatest factor in the improvements to
medical treatment in the 20th Century.
20th century’ How far do you agree?
You may use the following in your answer:
• NHS
• Magic bullets
You must use knowledge of your own [16 marks + 4 marks SPAG]
I agree fully that the creation of the NHS was the most significant factor in the treatment of
illness in the 20th Century. The NHS allowed people, for the first time in British history, to
have access to satisfactory medical care for free. Previously, physicians and doctors were
expensive so many people relied on herbal remedies and other inadequate treatments for
illness. Access to healthcare greatly improved the standard of living and reduced the death
rate as people’s health improved. Factors such as improvements in technology and the work
of individuals were also significant factors in the improvements in the treatment of illness in
the 20th Century, however, the NHS allowed these improvements to occur and be
implemented in our modern-day healthcare system. Need to make criteria clear
The NHS provided a safe, sanitary environment for people to be treated for disease. The
NHS provided services such as community clinics for immunisations and maternity care,
school medical services, pharmacies for the dispensation of medicines and doctor’s
prescriptions, and many more all free of charge. This opened up medical care to the working
class who would not normally have been able to afford the service. Remember question is
about treatments
The work of individuals and development in technology was also a significant factor in the
improvement of medical treatments in the 20th Century, however, it was the NHS that
allowed the advancements made in technology to continue and be used. The First World
War acted as a catalyst for improvements in technology used in the diagnosis and treatment
of disease. For example, the war brought about the increased use of static x-rays in hospitals
and mobile x-ray units which were used to identify shrapnel and bullets in wounds which
could cause an infection if not removed. The use of x-rays greatly reduced the mortality
rate. After the war, x-rays continued to be used in hospitals. Without the NHS, x-rays may
never have become as essential as they now are in healthcare as many people would be
unable to afford to make use of the machines due to the cost. The technology behind them
is continually advancing due to the necessity of their use and the funding provided to the
researchers by the NHS and the government. The NHS provides various courses of
treatment available for illnesses, for example, lung cancer could now be treated using
multiple routes: an operation to remove the tumour, a lung transplant, radiotherapy,
chemotherapy and genetic research. These new courses of treatment were available for use
as a result of improving technology and the availability of this technology. Without the NHS,
people would be unable to afford these expensive courses of treatment and would die from
curable diseases. The NHS greatly reduces the mortality rate as fewer people suffer and die
from preventable causes. That is why it is the greatest factor in the improvements to
medical treatment in the 20th Century.
