para 3 - the sick Flashcards
KU
In 1911 there was no NHS, someone who was sick and in poverty at the time would struggle to pay for treatment often resulting in relying on charity.
Illness related to real financial problems for people unable to work at the time. A national sick pay scheme was established. If a worker was too sick to work they were paid 10 shillings per week for 13 weeks then 5 shillings for 13 weeks.
All workers aged 16-70 who earned less than £160 per year had to be insured.
analysis
this stopped sick people who were unable to earn money from falling into immediate poverty allowing them to get better and then return to work/
analysis +
sick pay was only paid for 26 weeks. Workers with long term illnesses faced poverty and the threat of losing their homes and leaving their families on the streets
Martin Pugh has argued that the National Insurance Act part 1 was significant because it “began the process of getting medical and material assistance to those members of the community who most needed it.”
insured workers entitled to free medical treatment from a doctor chosen by local insurance commision which allowed them to maintain a high degree of medical attention keeping them in high wellness.
