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In a series tracing decisive moments in the life of the NHS, medical historian Sally Sheard explores the archive to tell five crucial stories in this third omnibus edition.

In a series tracing decisive moments in the life of our National Health Service, medical historian Sally Sheard explores the archive to tell the stories behind five crucial moments, in this third omnibus edition from Radio 4’s National Health Stories series.

Scandal: How an unsung heroine Barbara Robb triggered a nationwide investigation into the care of the mentally ill, forgotten in the vast long-stay institutions.

Grave: How Cecily Saunders and her 'modern hospice' movement forced the NHS to care for the dying and plan for what’s called a ‘good death’.

Cradle: In 1978 Louise Brown became the first IVF baby. This success lead to ethical dilemmas: how to limit multiple births. And should IVF be free on the NHS?

Unequal: In 1980 the Black Report showed that people in deprived areas had poorer health. But it wasn't until Labour returned to power in the mid-1990s that the issue was taken seriously by government.

Protest: 40 years after the start of the NHS resources weren’t keeping up with demand from patients. A baby died after his heart operation had been cancelled five times for lack of nurses.

Producers: Deborah Cohen & Beth Eastwood

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57 minutes

Last on

Fri 14 Apr 2023 21:00

Broadcasts

  • Fri 31 Aug 2018 21:00
  • Fri 14 Apr 2023 21:00

Podcast