National Health Service History

Geoffrey Rivett

Rivett G C 

From Cradle to Grave: fifty years of the NHS.  London, King's Fund, 1998.  ISBN 1-85717-148-9

From Cradle to Grave tells the extraordinary story of the NHS.  Published by the King's Fund to mark its 50th anniversary, the book traces chronologically the major achievements and events in medicine, nursing, hospital development, primary health care and health management.

Based on a wealth of publications spanning five decades and discussions with many who played a key role in shaping the NHS, From Cradle to Grave is an important work on the British health care system and appears on many university reading lists.   Its combined focus on medical developments and health management makes it a unique review of the NHS.

After an introduction, five chapters cover each of the five decades of the NHS. The chapters are organised on a theme basis, medical progress, primary and hospital care, medical and nurse education and staffing, and matters of politics, organisation and finance.

This web site carries the story forward.  However as many current events have their genesis in what came before you should consider obtaining the book, from the library or a bookseller

The book, From Cradle to Grave: fifty years of the NHS,  London, Kings Fund 1998  (ISBN 1 85717 148 9)  is available from the publishers, the King's Fund (020-7307-2591) or booksellers. Geoffrey Rivett's earlier book on The Development of the London Hospital System is now out of print and unlikely to be republished.  It is, however, available on the web, a sub-web of www.nhshistory.net. The development of the London Hospital System, 1823-1982 deals with the development of hospitals in London in the 125 years before the NHS began and thereafter.  Now twenty years out of date, an additional draft chapter is being added to the web version.