the state, not their patients. All prescriptions, dental and ophthalmic care were universally free of charge, to be paid from taxes and national insurance contributions. This, however, proved too expensive and within two years, a prescription charge was introduced, much to the dismay of Nye Bevan who resigned in protest. (Budge, I et al 1998)
             This 1950 reform was the first in a long line, as successive governments struggled to cope with financing the new demand for healthcare and the costs associated with it. As the NHS, and the welfare state as a whole was founded on the Keynesian economic principle that full employment, and therefore full contribution from the population would be the norm, rising unemployment levels, and therefore a reduced budget has forced governments, particula
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