Looking back 70 years at the evolution of the paramedic

An anniversary is always a stimulus to reflection—the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the National Health Service (NHS) in 1948 can certainly be no exception. It was Aneurin Bevan's greatest legacy, and one for which we can only be grateful. Indeed, it is envied by many in other countries.

In Bevan's time, ambulances were regarded solely as a means of transport to hospital and were staffed at that time by men, who were sometimes volunteers with limited first aid training. The NHS Act of 1946 required local authorities to provide an ambulance service that was then usually provided by the British Red Cross or St. John Ambulance. However, the Miller report of 1966 set out standards of training that led to significant improvement in skill levels nationally (Ministry of Health, 1966). This was unique to the UK. The report also argued for the introduction of an additional higher grade with advanced skills, but this was not accepted.