"The collective principle asserts that... no society can legitimately call itself civilised if a sick person is denied medical aid because of lack of means."
On July 5, 1948, a man spoke those words as he visited Trafford General Hospital. Then Minister for Health, the man symbolically received the keys to the building from Lancashire County Council during a tour of the hospital, surrounded by a guard of honour of nurses, for one incredible reason.
He had campaigned for years to create a health service for everyone, that was free at the point of delivery, and was based on the needs of those seeking help, not their ability to pay. On that day in 1948, that man was at Trafford General to mark the success of his campaign, and to herald a new beginning.
