Shaping Identity: The National Health Service and Britishness after World War II

This thesis argues that the creation of the NHS inadvertently created an institution that is fundamental to current British national identity. The NHS exemplifies the core values of the UK, in a way that previous national institutions – the Church, the monarchy, and the Empire – could not due to the societal makeup of the country. The NHS was created for all citizens, regardless of class, and the democratic nature of the institution embodies the ideals at the heart of the nation. The institution pushed the UK to become faithful to its founding ideals of fraternity, community, democracy, and it allowed Britons to have another world-renowned institution. Furthermore, the NHS's creation coincided with one of the last great eras the UK clings to – World War II – therefore, the NHS continually pulls from that the achievements of that period and connects itself to the national pride after victory.