Ordinary People and the 1979 Royal Commission on the NHS

Abstract In June 1979, the Royal Commission on National Health Service published its report. Chaired by Sir Alec Merrison, covered England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 1976, broadcast calls, asking public to put forward their views NHS. response, they received around 2,460 written evidence submissions, held fifty-eight oral sessions, met with about 2,800 individuals. soliciting evidence, called people comment experience of health service, submit that as contribute suggestions for NHS’s improvement. These submissions mostly in form letters are rich revealing sources. While NHS staff, trade unionists, professional organizations were invited perspectives, patients other non-clinical members British also penned letters. this article, I use submitted self-proclaimed ‘ordinary’ emerging discussions post-war citizenship, intimate or quotidian relationship welfare state. these popular anxieties 1970s, explore various ways citizens experienced engaged NHS; investigate how felt services; consider affective political function complaint.