Banner

This frequently updated site/portal provides

  • 1

    Topic Title

    Up-to-the week information on events since 1998, a portal linking to web-based resources and reports

  • 2

    Topic Title

    The origin and inheritance of the NHS in 1948 (large file, 1 minute download)

  • 3

    Topic Title

    A brief summary of events since 1948

  • 4

    Topic Title

    Clinical developments and organisational changes in the British National Health service from 1988-1997 (large file, 1 minute download)

  • 5

    Topic Title

    The author's first book on the Development of the London Hospital System, out of print, republished here under London's Hospitals

  • 6

    Topic Title

    Kami menyediakan beberapa kursus gratis untuk menunjang ketersediaan pendidikan untuk masyarakat kurang mampu untuk masyarakat kurang mampu

I deal primarily with England and medicine (not dentistry/pharmacy/optical services). Because devolution is progressively creating major differences in health services in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the latter three countries are not specifically considered.

Declaration of interest:

I create, design and manage this site. It receives no financial support from any quarter, and I am retired and neither in employment nor act in any consultant capacity. I wish to improve the interest, content and usability of the site; what other aspects need to be covered? What is wrong? I would welcome feedback. Please email me

Minor changes are regularly made. Recent additions to the text include

  • Department of Health reviews its structure, Regional Directorates to go
  • NHS Foundation Trust circular
  • GP contractual issues
  • SHAs' franchise plans

More Information

References: From Cradle to Grave is well referenced. The web chapter is not referenced but references exist on my master copy. Sources used include the BMJ to which there may be hyperlinks,, Health Service Journal and The Times. I acknowledge my debt to these publications, to those writing for them and to those who have spoken to me about NHS and clinical developments.

Geoffrey Rivett asserts intellectual ownership/copyright over this material. However, you are at liberty to download the text for personal use, but not for commercial reproduction in another publication or web site, or for multiple copying for academic or business purposes. You may use material from this site referencing where practicable.

External search system

From Cradle to Grave: fifty years of the NHS, ISBN 1 85717 148 9 is available from the publishers, the King's Fund (020-7307-2591) or booksellers.

The development of the London Hospital System, 1823-1982 (Geoffrey Rivett's earlier book) is now out of print. It has been transferred to this site to make it more accessible.

You may also be interested in a Chronology of State Medicine, Public Health, Welfare and Related services in Britain, 1066-1999: Michael Warren's Chronology