Did you know Wales had a national health service 38 years before England?

Welsh Histories

"A remarkable man who changed everything. John Tomley was driven by the belief that health is a universal right for everyone and not a privilege for the few."

Professor John Wynn-Jones, retired rural GP and professor of rural health

"A deeply personal and moving account of a great lost hero of the National Health Service. Beautifully researched and told, this is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of our NHS, its current challenges, and where we should be heading if we want to hold on to this precious institution."

Katie Lee, Writer

"A fascinating and personal story of the beginnings of the NHS, reminding us of its vital importance in the current climate of crises and loss of confidence."

Dr Russ Hewson, NHS Consultant Intensivist and Anaesthetist

"John John and David’s tireless and selfless investment of many years played a truly incredible, pivotal and integral part in pushing forward a health service for the less privileged people of Great Britain, directly laying the groundwork for Nye Bevan to set up the NHS in 1948."

Aneria Thomas, first baby born on the NHS and author

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work.

NetGalley, The_Secret_Bookreview .

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The First NHS, by Emma Snow, looks at the development of organizations and measures to promote public supported Health Care in the UK, and specifically in Wales before the development of the NHS. The one aspect that draws my attention is the wealth of details of the subtle means, by which "radical administration" sought to build a comprehensive medical coverage. The mere success of this program was the basis for the NHS. The work done, in simple steps producing a radically new way of seeing healthcare and community development.

What Snow does, is tear down the historical narrative that reduces what happened to but a few events. This work is not only readable but comes up with a good argument to support the methods used. Those methods of using administrative subtitles to create profound change is compelling. The history itself is a great testament to how the success of the NHS was grounded. I highly recommend this book, not only as an exemplary history, and but also as a very useful narrative that may prove helpful to us in the development of progressive struggles that are present today.

NetGalley, Willy Marz

Author featured at GWR Train Naming Event for NHS 75th Anniversary - find out more here

GWR

As featured on BBC Radio Leeds!

BBC Radio Leeds