At almost 74 years old, the UK’s NHS has experienced a fair bit of change over time. This post is an exploration of how the UK has shifted over the past 70+ years. We’ll be discussing how the incredible healthcare workers of the service have adapted to these changes.

Life Expectancy

When the NHS was founded in 1948, the average English or Welsh* person could expect to live 66 years if they were a man or 70 years if they were a woman. Today, men live to be 79 on average and women to 83.

Nursing jobs, doctor’s positions, and all manner of other NHS roles have had to adapt to a population that lives significantly longer than they used to.

*data for the UK as a whole is sadly unavailable.

Infant Mortality

Infant mortality is another statistic that has changed dramatically since the NHS’ inception. The number of children who die at or shortly after birth has simply plummeted. This is thanks largely to better maternity ward conditions, successful vaccination programmes, and improved aftercare.

Cancer Survival Rates

Survival rates for cancer have improved hugely in recent years. The NHS continues to use the latest treatments and tools to fight against this ever-shrinking disease.

Learn More About Careers in Medicine

Want to join a story that’s more than 70 years in the making? Place Me can help you find healthcare jobs that are perfect for you. Whether it’s nursing, doctor’s work, or clinic positions, we’ve got you covered.