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Getting Better: The Fight for the NHS

By: Paul Birch, Kenton Hall, Ian Haig, Mark Hayhurst
Narrated by: Rhod Gilbert, Kathryn Drysdale, Neve McIntosh, Rob James Collier, Mike Wozniak, Mark Gatiss, Raj Ghatak, Annette Badland, Clive Mantle, Mina Anwar, Barnaby Eaton Jones, Louise Jameson, Paterson Joseph, Sharon D. Clarke, Terry Molloy
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  • Summary

  • An entertaining drama based on Nye Bevan’s race to create the new NHS by 5 July 1948. Getting Better is a roller coaster period drama based on real political events alongside the fictional story of front-line tears, trauma and triumph at The Park Hospital in Manchester. As Bevan faces up to the establishment in Parliament, Dr Eva Callaway faces the same challenges – facing poverty, sexism and homophobia in a system stuck in the past.

    “Rhod Gilbert brings comic timing to a fine new drama about the creation of the NHS.... Getting Better could be beefed up into a perfect Sunday evening TV drama." (The Guardian)
    ©2021 Audible, Ltd (P)2021 Audible, Ltd
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Historical Fiction
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Episodes
  • Ep 1: Landslide

    Ep 1: Landslide
    Aug 18 2021

    Everyone warns Prime Minister Clement Attlee not to appoint Welsh socialist Nye Bevan as Minister for Health.

    And Dr Eva Callaway gets off to an explosive start on her first day at Manchester’s Park Hospital.
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    37 mins
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  • Ep 2: David and Goliath

    Ep 2: David and Goliath
    Aug 18 2021

    Nye Bevan, the youngest member of the cabinet, must overcome his demons to take on the most powerful man in the Labour Party. In Manchester, Eva and Dr Reggie Hughes must find common ground to save an unvaccinated child.

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    32 mins
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  • Ep 3: A Clean Bill of Health

    Ep 3: A Clean Bill of Health
    Aug 18 2021

    Nye attempts to woo the King’s physician Lord Horder and Charles Hill AKA ‘The Radio Doctor’. Meanwhile Reggie finds himself in deep water.
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    32 mins
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What listeners say about Getting Better: The Fight for the NHS

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Profile Image for lynn wilde

Informative and Engaging

A joy to listen to. It's so important to know this history, especially now the institution is being undermined. We have to save it while we still can

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Profile Image for Oakley6

Need to be adapted for TV!

Just finished listening to all 10 episodes and enjoyed every minute. A fascinating insight into a key period in our history, but with great human interest and characters that you can really believe in. Great writing and some fantastic performances as well. Rhod Gilbert is notably exceptional in his first serious role. I am sure a TV adaptation would be a huge hit too.

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3 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for Fiona

Excellent story, brilliantly performed.

Highly recommend. I could not stop listening. Informative potted history of the birth of the NHS.

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1 person found this helpful

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Profile Image for Rizzo

Excellent

A reminder of what we had before the NHS, and how fantastic it is, and how we must protect now! ❤

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Profile Image for Amazon Customer

Fight for it !!!!

You don't know what you have until you lose it. The jewel in the crown of the UK.

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Getting Better

An excellent performance and interesting story about the passion and ability of a terrific orator Nye Bevan pushing an idea of free health to all regardless of means.
A testament to the ability of the script writers to make history relevant today.
Brilliant!

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inspirational

a moving depiction of a hopeful moment for humanity, truly memorable and touching. I cried at nearly every turn

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

A real surprise!

I really enjoyed this. To me, this story is docu-dram-edy! I never knew much about Nye Bevan and the formation of the NHS. It is a story worth telling and worth hearing. I am hooked!

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Profile Image for Caracatus

history brought to life

Great production, well acted, good script, strong story, a delight to listen to. highly recommended.

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Profile Image for Stuart L.

Storyline

A very good British feel good storyline. And how the NHS Very nearly didn’t happen.

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