The individual played a smaller role within medicine compared to the 19th century, especially after the Second World War. From then, large corporations used teams of scientists, rather than individuals, to make new discoveries.

Here are 3 key examples of the role that the individual played.

• ❖ Aneurin Bevan led the creation of the NHS in 1948.
• ❖ Charles Booth and Seebohm Rowntree wrote reports on British poverty and poor health.
• ❖ Fleming discovered penicillin.