In our birthplace of south Wales, the Cardiff and District Hospital Society was set up in 1912 to fund Cardiff Royal Infirmary. Between the society’s foundation and 1948, it raised more than £1m for local hospitals.
On July 5, 1948, the NHS was launched. Just a few weeks later on July 30, the Welsh Hospitals and Health Services Association was formed, continuing the work carried out by the Cardiff and District Hospital Society.
Such was the initial success of the NHS, with its free prescriptions, free glasses and even free false teeth, it seemed at first that the medical societies and clubs would no longer be needed. But, by 1953 - and despite opposition from Aneurin Bevan - the need to charge for some medical services became evident, and prescription fees were introduced. The future of health plan providers like WHA was secured.
The first registered address of WHA was 107 Newport Road, Cardiff. A move to 60 Newport Road followed in 1957, and we’re still here today!
