Book reveals key role of Powys man in the birth of the NHS

John Tomley started his career collecting notices for the County Times in Montgomery before going on to become a pioneering health campaigner long before Nye Bevan brought about the creation of the NHS in 1948 – with his later work and campaigning was extensively featured in the County Times.

His story has now been brought back to life in a book by his great granddaughter, Emma Snow, in ‘The First NHS: How John Tomley’s Work Led to Modern Healthcare’.

John’s pioneering campaign for a national health service led to the founding of the NHS in 1948 – yet his work has been forgotten and miscredited.

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Inspired by a doctor who coined the phrase “national health service” in 1910, John and fellow campaigner David Davies took steps to pilot the first ever national health service, focusing on TB in Wales, the Welsh National Memorial Association (WNMA).

Through the findings of the WNMA’s work, as well as John’s work as a local health commissioner and UK leader of the largest health service providers, the friendly societies, John campaigned for effective treatment for TB, including prevention and a national health service.

Working from his office in Arthur Street in Montgomery, he went on to produce a report that included recommendations for improved health care and insurance based on his pioneering statistical analysis of the TB crisis in poverty-stricken communities in Wales.

Churchstoke Oddfellows campaigning for national healthcare. These were on of the organisations John used as a model for his proposal for the NHS. (Image: Old Bell Museum)

He later went on to become the president of the National Conference of Friendly Societies in the late 1930s. John was able to demonstrate how medical insurance organised by friendly societies, such as the Manchester based Oddfellows, provided a blueprint for health insurance on a national scale.

These were highlighted in a hard-hitting 1939 parliamentary report issued by his close friend, the Montgomeryshire MP, Clem Davies.

This work led directly to the Beveridge Report and the founding of the NHS.

Throughout the war and its immediate aftermath, John advised the Government and even drafted parts of the legislation that brought the NHS into being on July 5 1948.

“The moral of this surprising tale? If John can do it, any of us can. We have what John described as the “golden keys’ in our hands,” said Emma. “By understanding the crucial information John gave us from his life’s work, the importance of fighting all the Beveridge Report’s Five Giants at once, we can tackle the social determinants of health today, and change people’s lives for our generation and future generations.”

Emma has two decades of experience in the social care industry. She is chief executive of health and social care charity Community Opportunity, and works in change management for an NHS trust.

Emma lives with her husband and daughter in the Cotswolds.