Charting the developments in the NHS

The success ofIn this paper, key changes taking in the development of the UK health sector from the 1940s to the mid‐1990s are briefly sketched. The changes originating from a variety of socio‐economic and political circumstances have largely been responsible for the current shape and position of the NHS. In a forthcoming paper, we will review the status of the NHS under the new Labour Government and examine implications of new changes for the future of the NHS.