S.W.O.T. Analysis of Kroger Co Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

S.W.O.T. Analysis of Kroger Co - Term Paper Example There are 2,461 multidepartment stores and supermarkets owned by Kroger, and 954 of them have fuel centers. Apart from the supermarkets, Kroger operates 375 fine jewelry stores and 784 convenience stores (GlobalData, 2012). All the jewelry stores of Kroger are located in malls, which are situated in leased locations. Eighty-three convenience stores are operated under franchise agreements. Close to 51 percent of the convenience stores managed by subsidiaries were initially operated by company-owned facilities. The convenience stores provide a limited variety of general merchandise and an assortment of staple food, and, in general cases, sell gasoline. Kroger’s supermarkets stock an average of 11,000 private label items. The company also operates 39 manufacturing plants. The plants consist of 10 bakery or deli plants, 17 dairies, 3 beverage plants, two cheese plants, two meat plants, and 5 grocery product plants. The supermarkets are usually operated under format, which entail c ombination drug and food stores (combo stores), price impact warehouses, marketplace stores, and multi-department stores (Thomson Reuters, 2012). SWOT Analysis Description SWOT analysis is described as a strategic planning tool utilized in the assessment of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) involved in a business venture or in a project. It entails specifying the aim of the project or the business venture and recognizing the external and internal factors that are unfavorable and favorable to accomplishing that objective. The purpose of any SWOT analysis is to recognize the main external and internal factors that are crucial to accomplishing the objective. SWOT analysis categorizes main pieces of information into two major classes, internal and external factors. Internal factors include the weaknesses and strengths internal to the company or the organization. External factors entail the threats and opportunities presented by the outside environment (Research an d Markets, 2012). The internal factors can be seen as weaknesses or strengths depending on their effect on the objectives of the organization. It is important to note that what may look, as strength to one objective can be a weakness for another objective. The factors may entail all the 4P’s (product, place, price, and promotion), finance, personnel, and manufacturing capabilities. The external factors may include technological change, socio-cultural changes, legislation, competitive position, changes in the marketplace, and macroeconomic matters. A matrix is used to represent the results of the SWOT analysis. However, SWOT analysis has its weaknesses. For instance, it may tend to influence companies or organizations to gather lists rather than reflect on what is crucial in accomplishing objectives. The resulting lists presented are not critical and lack clear prioritization. For instance, weak opportunities can appear to balance the strong threats (Research and Markets, 2012 ). SWOT Analysis of Kroger Co. Strengths Kroger Co. has passed through the economic recession with little success because of its strong market position. Kroger held the first and second market share position in 39 out of the 42 major markets in the year 2009. The company’s brand equity offers a strong competitive advantage over the other companies. In 2009, it was listed 82nd in Global 500 Brand Raking. This strength will continue serving the

Operating System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Operating System - Essay Example It should be noted that computers cannot function and will become useless without it. The operating systems in our modern times function in order to accomplish three major goals which include hiding the details of the hardware through the establishment of abstraction, to assign the resources to specific processes, and to provide the user with an interface which is simple and easy to use for his benefits (Muhammad 2). Because of their design and task in computing devices, OS have been named as resource manager where the primary resource is the computer hardware including processors, storage, input/output devices, communication devices and data. As a resource manager, the operating system generally functions by "implementing the user interface, sharing hardware among users, allowing users to share data among themselves, preventing users from interfering with one another, scheduling resources among users, facilitating input/output, recovering from errors, accounting for resource usage, facilitating parallel operations, organizing data for secure and rapid access, and handling network communications" (Muhammad 4). One of the main purposes of an operating system is to allow its user to run his preferred... The rapid technological advancement which allows the evolution of OS also enabled the creation of different types of operating systems. It should be noted that a single operating system like Windows 2000 falls into many categories as experts are able to lump the characteristics and features of these OS into one comprehensive type. The Graphical User Interface (GUI) is a huge development to the rather plain text boards that are features of early computers. The GUI is an OS which contains graphics allowing users to interact with computing devices usually through a mouse by the graphical icons and visual indicators. On the other hand, the multiple-user OS allows the use of computers by two or more individuals at the same time or different times. Individuals sharing the same computer benefits from this by keeping their privacy through their different accounts. Thus, their documents are hidden and are kept from each other. Multitasking OS denotes those which are capable of running two or more different software at the same time on the same machine. For example, Windows 2000 can run Internet Explorer and open Microsoft Word at the same also allowing the user to do multiple tasks in the computing device. Lastly, multithreading allows are those which allow different parts of individual or more software to run concurrently while multiprocessing is an OS which allows two or more computer processor. Works Cited Muhammad, Rashid. Operating System. N.d. 10 September 2008 Operating System. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 2008. 10 September 2008

Problem Solving-Answer the questions related to The Theory of Essay

Problem Solving-Answer the questions related to The Theory of entrepreneurship - Essay Example Curran stated the term entrepreneur should be kept for those small business owners who are innovative and opportunistic in organizing resources or offering new products and services in chase of profit, and others that are not innovative and merely offer recognized and services to existing markets are merely small business owners. Schumpeters interactions with the thoughts of other economists were relatively complex in his most essential contributions to economic analysis were the theory of business cycles and development. Following neither Walras nor Keynes, Schumpeter start in The Theory of Economic Development with a paper of circular flow which, not including any innovations and innovative actions, leads to a inactive state. The inactive state is, according to Schumpeter, explained by Walrasian equilibrium. The superman of his story, though, is, in fine Austrian fashion, the entrepreneur. The entrepreneur upsets this equilibrium and is the reason of economic development, which proceeds in cyclic fashion along several time scales. In fashioning this theory linking innovations, cycles, and development, Schumpeter kept alive the Russian Nikolai Kondratievs thoughts on 50-year cycles, Kondratiev waves. Schumpeter offered a framework in which the four main cycles, Kondratiev, Kuznets, Juglar and Kitchin can be combined collectively to form a merged waveform. In fact there was significant professional competition between Schumpeter and Kuznets. The wave form offered here did not contain the Kuznets Cycle basically because Schumpeter did not identify it as a suitable cycle (you can see "Business Cycles" for verification. A Kondratiev wave could comprise of three lower degrees Kuznets waves. Each Kuznets wave could, itself, be faked of two Juglar waves. In the same way two or three Kitchin waves could outline a higher degree Juglar wave. If each of these were in stage, more

The Individual as Described by Emerson and Melville Term Paper

The Individual as Described by Emerson and Melville - Term Paper Example An individual can be described as any kind of specified object or person. Individuality, on the other hand, is the quality or state of being an individual. In particular, individuality examines some of the factors that make a particular individual be different from another. various philosophers have made efforts in trying to explain more about the individual and how he functions in his particular environment and society. One of the best-known philosophers, whose views and perspectives about an individual have been used in many disciplines is Ralph Waldo Emerson and Melville. Ralph Waldo Emerson, who existed between 1803 and 1882, can be described as the leading writer as well as thinker among the transcendentalists of New England (Emerson 23). During the time of Emerson, New England transcendentalism can be said to have been a philosophical and literal movement that was very successful, flourishing in the Massachusetts region and the adjoining areas especially before the time of civil war. Emerson was the son of a very Unitarian minister, being born in Boston. Emerson is said to have lived in Concord, a place that he stayed for a major part of his life (Emerson 34). On the other hand, Herman Melville (1819-1891) was a famous American novelist as well as the writer of poets and various short stories that featured the state of life during the Renaissance period in America (Melville 54). Most of the wr itings by Melville became public between 1846 and 1857, a time which they were published. Most of his writings were inspired by his experiences in life, especially as the common sailor, who moved in the spirit of adventure. Melville was also actively involved in the exploration of philosophy and literature as well as engagement in many of the contradictions that characterized the American society.  Ã‚  

By the end of the novel Maestro the reader feels that both Keller and Paul are egotists and equally unattractive characters Essay Example for Free

By the end of the novel Maestro the reader feels that both Keller and Paul are egotists and equally unattractive characters Essay By the end of the novel the reader feels that both Keller and Paul are egotists and equally unattractive characters. While I agree with the first part of this statement I disagree with the second. In this essay I will be discussing the characters egotism, is relation to each other. I will explain the reasoning behind the characters reasoning’s and because of this why I believe that Paul is the more unlikable character of the two. The reader learns very on in the book that each of these characters has unattractive qualities. Goldsworthy creates these characters equally undesirable in their own right. Paul’s superficial view on emotion and his quick judgement especially when it comes to Keller contribute to the portrayal of Paul as a fairly unlikable character. Paul makes the transition in this book growing up and this in its self is very much a contributing factor as we see him grow into his egotism where as Keller is explained and somewhat redeemed. Despite Keller being describes as a ‘virtuoso’ he is viewed by Paul -and there for the reader -as arrogant and patronising. â€Å" The boy is given to much self satisfaction† he observes of Paul, which is a fair description as Paul is often critical and patronising of Keller’s teaching techniques, which may well stem from his superior view of himself, â€Å" of course he sounded better, he had a better piano.† Paul from very early on is self centred, believing he is the best. He takes things at face value, especially when it comes to judging Keller and his teaching style. He does not take the time to watch and learn before making assumptions. When he says â€Å"He’s a Nazi† he could not have been more wrong. This statement become more apparent towards the end of the novel when we learn about Keller’s association with the NAZIs and the consequences it had not only on his life but also those of this family, his wife and son. Keller’s anti-social behaviour tends to bring a distance between himself and the other people in Darwin but also from himself as a character and the reader. But this is not a negative influence, in fact it makes the reader empathise with him or at least intrigue the reader enough to be on his side. This could be seen as one of Keller redeeming factors. When Keller chooses to move to Adelaide, Paul realised that his exile was self imposed â€Å" His exile was chosen, not forced upon him†, Keller’s arrogance and naivety during the War are why he chooses to stay in Vienna and ultimately causes the deaths of his wife and son. Keller believes that he had been betrayed, that by being close to Hitler his family would be saved. This assumption was naive, he says himself â€Å"I knew these people, these murderers. I had signed their concert programs. His self imposed isolation in Darwin as a result of this evokes empathy and sympathy in the reader and this could again be seen as a redeeming quality. As the reader learns that Keller has reason for his egotism, Paul- because of his youth is viewed negatively because he comes off as an ignorant child. When he moves to Adelaide we realise however that he has somewhat been groomed into this arrogance. Learning from Keller, Paul learns a lot but he also gets handed all of Keller’s arrogance as well. Learning the techniques from Keller but not how to play the music with passion, Paul starts to believe that technique is the only important thing. Keller as we learn has reason to focus on the technique, simply because he cannot stand the pain of actually feeling the music, evident in his missing finger. Paul’s arrogance grows throughout the book. As he progresses through the lessons with Keller and also as his love life grows with Rosie, he grows more self assured. Paul is very self driven and thinking he is the best he makes decisions that show his arrogance to the fullest. The choice to move to Adelaide right on the cusp of getting to finally know everything about his teacher shows that not only is he arrogant he is an egotist. He wants the fame and glory of being an amazing piano player. While Paul appears narcissistic, he is often aware of his flaws. Despite being pretentious, Paul is fundamentally shy. His refuge in the music room parallels Keller’s self-imposed solitude at the Swan. Paul is unsure of himself, as his ‘self-perception lagged timidly behind [his] growth spurt’. His arrogance protects him from his loneliness and his inability to attain greatness. Although Paul’s delusions of grandeur mark him as a weak character. At the end of the novel Paul admits that he â€Å"is able to dupe my audience at the odd concertbut nevermyself†, referring to his musical ability. Paul comes to the realisation that he will never be the piano player he desires and this admission evokes some empathy from the Maestro readers. Paul’s egotisms is much more prominent than Keller’s, and the tragedy of Keller’s life in a way prevents the reader from having negative feelings towards him. Paul and Keller are represented as egotistical characters but whereas Pauls is viewed as negative with small redeeming factors, Keller’s is understood and earned and explained from his passed.

Organisation and ICT Essay Example for Free

Organisation and ICT Essay Hardware In ASDAs finance department, as I wrote about in unit 2A, a total of 30 computers are used to deal with business on a daily basis. The specifications of these computers are as follows: * 30 colour, high resolution and flat screen monitors. Used to display the information produced by the computer. patriotic * 30 ergonomic keyboards. To type in the information to the computer. * 30 IBM computer mice which all have infra red enabled wheels. Used to click and go where you want on the computer. * All computers in ASDAs finance department have a 1GB RAM and an 80GB hard drive to allow fast running of the computer and a lot of storage. * All the computers contain sound, graphics and network cards. This allows the computer to use the monitor to display virtually anything. * The computers have USB ports and CD ROM/DVD drives and CD RW drives. This allows transferring information form work to home in the form of a USB key. There is also a main file server which all the computers within the finance department have access to and can get some files from. This computers description is different to all the others and has a 5GB RAM and 200GB Hard drive. This is to allow easy and quick access for files and to fit an enormous amount of files. Other hardware peripherals used in the finance department are printers. There are 16 laser printers in the department meaning 1 printer for every 2 computers. These printers are evenly distributed between each computer and the extra printer is located in the manager of the finance departments office. Also the printer in the managers office also serves a photocopier and a fax machine to utilize work time. In the finance department there are also 5 scanners, 1 scanner serving 6 computers. The main reason scanners are used in the finance department is to scan important documents such as receipts or pictures into documents. These files which are scanned can also be stored as JPEG files on the main server of all the computers. There is also a digital camera which is always kept in the managers office. The main file server has an excellent broadband internet connection that serves all of the computers in the finance department. This internet is supplied by BT as internet service provider (ISP). Computer Hardware Used in ASDAs Finance Department Input Devices How many and location Keyboards ergonomic 30 One on every computer Computer mouse Infra red wheels 30 One on every computer Scanner 5 Six for every computer Microphones 10 Used when needed Debit and Credit Card Machine (ATM) 5 One between every 6 computer Output Devices How many and location Flat Screen high resolution monitors 30 One on every computer Speakers 30 One on every computer Printers 16 2 between 1 computer, 1 in managers office Processors How many and location Central Processing Unit 30 1 in each computer File server. Data Storage: How many and location USB Ports 30 One in every computer Hard disks 30 One in every computer Ports and Cables How many and location USB Ports 30 One in every computer CD Port 30 One in every computer Headphones Port 30 One in every computer Microphone Port 30 One in every computer Software How many and location Microsoft Word 30 One in every computer Microsoft Excel 30 One in every computer Microsoft Access 30 One in every computer Microsoft Outlook 30 One in every computer Microsoft Outlook Express 30 One in every computer Norton Anti Virus 30 One in every computer Dreamweaver 30 One in every computer Sage Accounting Package 30 One in every computer Connections How many and location Intranet connections 30 On all computers Internet link with ISP On main server, but allows all computers to access internet and use e-mail The list above sums up the hardware used by ASDAs finance department. Hardware Applications used by ASDAs Finance Department Input Devices Keyboards: This device is essential to the use of computers as it allows you to type in the information that you want to. Without keyboards, computers would obviously be useless. The arrangement of keys on the core part of the keyboard is identical as any other typewriter. The computer keyboard does have keys which are specifically designed for the computer. Function keys, for example, are programmable and are used by software packages to access particular options, such as Help menus. A number of general uses of keyboards are entering text and numbers into the computer, perhaps using a word processor. Entering keywords into a search engine, a type of program used to find information on the World Wide Web. Controlling animated graphics characters in computer games and entering commands when using a command line interface, such as that for MS-DOS. Keyboards are probably the most commonly used input devices in the finance department along with computer mice and monitors. Computer Mouse: This device is used to navigate through the computer and click on the application that you which to use. This is essential to the efficient running of the computer. There are many types of mice and they have developed over the years. The mouse which the ASDA finance department used is fitted with optical lights which makes it much more quick and efficient and is much more productive than regular mouses. ASDAs finance department want to provide their customers with the best equipment to help them work to the best of their ability. Scanner: The finance department uses scanners to insert photographs or other types of images such as graphs and tables into a document. An example of a sort of document which scanners will be used for is a forecast. The finance department will scan graphs of predicted sales into the forecast to show what will have to be done to achieve the aim of the project. Also previous sale trends will be inserted into the document. Now the forecast is done the finance department will produce a budget where yet again, a scanner will be used to insert some images into the document. An example of this could be a table where the company can expect to make a certain amount of money if they charge a particular price for an item. Microphone: This is an input design which is not used all the time in ASDAs finance department. This is because it is only used to telecommunicate over a distance where the person who needs to communicate to is not in the same place as you. This allows the finance department to be able to hold meetings despite the whereabouts of the staff and times allows the department to make the most of the time that they have. Debit and Credit Card Machine (ATM): This ICT peripheral is an input device when the information needed is inserted into the machine. These pieces of ICT are used in the finance department so that ASDA can pay suppliers and also pay their creditors (who they owe money to) and basically clear their debts. ASDA also use these machines to pay people, including their employees and suppliers. So these machines are very useful to the finance department because it allows them to go about their business quickly and very efficiently. Output Devices Monitors: The monitors which are used in ASDAs finance department are flat screen high resolution monitors. This makes the viewing of the screen very easy and you can see the screen without getting sore eyes. This is an output device because it shows the result of your typing and all the work that you have done. The quality of the monitors at ASDAs finance department is very high and they are 17 in size. The reason why they are used is obvious they display all the work that you have done and is essential to the efficient running of the computer. Speakers: This is an output device because it releases the sounds that the computers are making. The ASDA finance department uses speakers whilst involved in videoconferencing. This allows the department to hold meetings with their staff despite the fact that they might not be at the office at the actual time of the meeting. The speakers are connected to the big screen in the meeting room so it is as is they are in an ordinary meeting. Printers: This is an output device as it gives you the work that you have done when you want to print it. There is a printer for every two computers in the finance department making a total of sixteen computers in ASDAs finance department. The printers in the finance department are fitted with both color ink and black and white ink. This is essential to the finance department as it allows the department to print of vital data from e-mails and documents. Processors This is a component in a computer which is capable of executing a program and it interprets computer program instructions and processes data. This is the core component of a computer. The processor which is in the computers which ASDAs finance department has is Pentium XEON Processor which is a very good processor. Data Storage USB Ports: The definition of a USB port is a Universal Serial Bus standard to interface devices. In ASDAs finance department so the employees are able to complete some work at home and then bring it to work and transfer it to their computer at work. However USB connects far more than some people think, they connect: mouse devices, keyboards, scanners, digital cameras and printers. ASDAs finance department uses this data storage device for all of these reasons. Hard Disk: This storage device is a non volatile storage device which stores digitally encoded data on rotating platters with magnetic surfaces. The hard disk in ASDAs finance department contains a memory of 80 GB. This huge hard disk is used to save numerous files such as forecasts, stock control and budgets. Without a big memory ASDAs finance department wouldnt be able to operate properly as they wouldnt be able to store all the files they needed to. Connection Intranet: The intranet is an internet service based just within the ASDA company. Briefly, an intranet can be understood as a private version of the Internet, or as a version of the Internet confined to a company. So ASDA has an internet service based on ASDA so information on the employees, employee of the moth and just general information on the website is displayed on ASDAs intranet. Internet: The internet is used in ASDAs finance department to use e-mail, gain information to help the department create a forecast and check the news as breaking news in the stock market can affect every single business in the UK including ASDA. So ASDA have to be in the best position possible to predict trends and forecast future sales. The finance department uses the internet to send e-mails to Software Applications used by ASDAs Finance Department Microsoft Word: All the computers in the finance department have Microsoft Word as standard. All the computers are updated as soon as the new Microsoft Word comes out so the finance department has Microsoft Word 2007. This has many features which benefits the department and is used for mail merging, memo and also to just write letters to other departments. The finance department of ASDA uses this software to produce the yearly financial report which takes away the profit the company has made from the expenditure to create the net profit of the year. ASDA uses Microsoft Word for this task as it makes the document look more professional ad the spell check tool allows ASDAs finance department to save a lot of time. Also, the finance department uses Microsoft Word to compile pay slips for their employees. Pay slips are essential as they show how much the worker ahs made and how much tax has been taken away from the worker. Once again the reason why Microsoft Word is used for this task is to make it look more professional and also save time because the finance department probably has a template of a pay slip and just have to alter it to match the correct information for each worker. Microsoft Excel: ASDAs finance department uses Excel to produce graphs and tables for several purposes. One of these purposes is to use graphs to accompany forecasts and budgets. They are used in budgets to show how much money is to be spent on each project. More importantly it is in forecasts to validate their prediction by producing graphs of previous trends to show why they think the company will go in the direction they think. Microsoft Access: The finance department uses this software to create databases for many reasons. One is to keep track of their creditors and keep records of whether they have paid them back or how much they still have to pay back. Also, databases are used by the finance department to keep records of each financial report of the year and see if the net profit of the company is increasing or getting worse. Moreover, Access is mainly used because of the advantages it possesses. These are being able to filter, sort and make queries which saves time. The database includes fields with information of ASDAs employees such as surname, first and second name, address lines, town, date of birth, date of employment, current position and salary, National Insurance number and notes where ASDA can comment on any employee. Microsoft Outlook: This software is used to keep the main diary of the office and all the events are noted to the Outlook calendar, using color codes for particular kinds of events. Any member of staff is enabled to access the diary on the main server. Also, Microsoft Outlook is used for workers to notify fellow staff when they are going to take their holidays on the calendar. Microsoft Outlook Express: This is used for sending e-mails to fellow employees and other departments in ASDA. The finance department needs to use e-mail to communicate to stock holders and stock suppliers and manufactures. Also the finance department needs to stay in contact with stock control to be notified if they need to make orders for the purchasing department Norton Anti Virus: This software is used to protect and defend the finances department computers against viruses. Viruses need defending against because they can cause damage to computers and destroy vital files. Viruses are so dangerous because they can cause the finance department to lose files that can stop them from operating efficiently. However, Norton Anti Virus prevents this and protects the computer. Sage Accounting Package: This is professional software for accountants and bookkeepers to help them do the job they need to. It is specially made to help the finance business do what they do. Dreamweaver: The ASDA finance department uses this piece of software to design a good website to advertise the finance department or just ASDA in general. The site includes opening times, news, online shopping, and history of the company and the mission statement of ASDA. The ASDA Finance Department Intranet: All the computers in the department have network cards and network software to allow them to access the sever and printers. Every worker in the finance department has their own passwords and this allows them to use all the software available from the main server and access all of their files from the finance department database. There are some common files on the server and others which are password protected so that only the person with the password can access them. This also prevents staff members accidentally amending or deleting another persons work. Evaluation The objective of ASDA is to comprehensively be recognised as the best supermarket in the UK. ICT as a whole enables ASDAs finance department to achieve its objectives in the following way: 1. Computers allow the finance department to create forecasts which indicate how products are going to sell and how many. 2. The database system which the department uses is much more efficient and quicker than other databases which the finance department was using. 3. ASDA have much software including Sage Accounting Package which is specifically designed for the efficient running of the finance department. 4. The ASDA finance department has the finest ICT equipment for their employees which ensure the employees can do their job with all the help needed from the very best equipment.

Why Was The NHS Created?

Why Was The NHS Created? This essay will outline and discuss the creation of the National Health Service in England. It will focus on the events that contributed to the creation and development of the National Health Service. It will also investigate the extent that it was also opposed. The National Health Service was not as spontaneous and revolutionary as many historians had originally believed, as its origins and beginnings stretched back as far as to the eighteenth century. ..voluntary hospitals[] the sanitation revolution of the mid- nineteenth century [] and the first public housing, accompanied by the provision of isolated hospitals for smallpox and other infectious dieases.  [1]  These voluntary hospitals were the first types of medical institutes for the general public whereby groups of ill people would go to escape their everyday lives to try and recover from their illnesses. However the voluntary hospitals were not always easy to be admitted in to, which would have been very unnerving for the sick. voluntary hospitals could usually only be obtained by presentation of an order from a subscriber or governor.  [2]  This also meant that many people that needed medical treatment did not have access to it and thus had to turn to other types of treatmen t. The nursing profession was not highly respected at this time because of the jobs that it involved. There was also bad sanitation in these hospitals meaning that even if people were admitted there was a chance that they would die as a result of bad sanitation and not their illness alone. It was also at this time that there was an increase in the population of England, the voluntary hospitals did no cope with this increase well as they were under great strains because of this. The National Health Service (NHS) was formed in 1948. It initially advocated free medical care for all citizens of Britain regardless of wealth or class from the cradle to the grave. Its original structure consisted of a hospital service, primary care service as well as community services. However before the NHS was set up the majority of the population were required to pay for any medical treatment or care that they needed, this was problematic as the lower class citizens of Britain in particular found the price of these medical treatments increasingly difficult to pay for. This meant that they had little choice as to what they could do, they could either pay for the treatment which would mean that their household would be even worse off financially or to find other ways of treating their illness themselves. Even if they decided to pay for treatment, for serious illnesses it would have been unlikely that they would have survived, thus meaning that it was not always a wise choice to pay for their treatment. When the NHS was still only a theoretic idea, many people knew that something had to be done with the state of medical care and provisions within England. It was not until 1930 when the Poor Law Act was introduced that many of the poor were merely just sent to dispensaries to buy their medicine, which meant that the patients had no relationship with their doctor and were also not allowed a choice of doctor. This would have effected a lot of people as a relationship with their doctor would have been extremely important to them, more so if they were required to have on going treatment. Also for the medical profession, it would have been important for them to see the same patients to help with the effectiveness and reliability of medical care that the patients needed. The Poor Law Act was an important legislation that was passed as the health of the lower classes was incredibly bad until this time, and they received no health care benefits. Some attempts were made to alleviate sick paupers by outdoor relief and the attendance of parish doctors, but most Boards of Guardians found it cheaper and more convenient to admit them to a workhouse.  [3]  However this became difficult to conduct as too many people were being admitted to these workhouses. Even though the paupers were probably still able to work being in such a place would have been more detrimental to their health because they were not actually getting the medical attention they needed. In 1834 about 10,000 workhouse inmates needed medical care and the number had risen to over 50,000 in 1861.  [4]   The Boar War (1899-1902), World War One (1914-1918), as well as World War Two (1939-1945) could be said to have acted as a catalyst in the creation of the NHS. As the Boar war commenced, it was only too evident to the government how ill and unfit the British men were. Recruitment agents had to turn away the majority of men that came forward for the army as they were too unwell for the demands that the army would have put on them. rejecting about 60 per cent of military volunteers on grounds of stunted growth, rickets, poor eyesight, deformities and weight.  [5]  The conditions outlined were the result of malnurishment and was preventable. Fresh air, exercise and diet were seen as the best ways to elimate such conditions. The Government realised that they had to take measures to ensure that the health of Britain improved, as the country would not be able to perform well in war especially as Britain was a leading power in the world. As another way to help conquer these problems the Labour government implanted free school meals and milk for school children during the second world war. The National Health Insurance Act was introduced by Lloyd George in 1919. He wanted to make sure that lower paid workers were for the first time able to receive medical care. From this moment forward a large range of legislations were passed in relation to and in preparation for a health system for all. It was not until 1929 as part of the Local Government Act, that poor law hospitals were replaced with municipal hospitals that could only be used for taxpayers and paupers were no longer welcome. These hospitals were far from being sophisticated and luxurious, in fact they were no better than poor law hospitals. Many of the larger councils such as London were doing well as they had a constant flow of patients mainly due to larger numbers of people located in the city than in the rural areas, however this was not the case for all councils around England. A large number of the smaller councils were struggling with finance issues, as they were located in rural areas whereby there were not enough patients to use the service and make it efficient. The Kings Fund and the Nuffield Provincial Hospitals Trust, as protectors of hospitals realised that there was a problem that they these hospitals would not survive until they became more efficient. It could be argued that the on-set of world war two contributed to the formation of the NHS. It was important for military casualties to be treated effectively whilst Britain was at war. As a result of this the Emergency Medical Scheme (EMS) was set up in 1939 in anticipation of the major casualties that would be present during war time. The EMS was originally responsible for the casualties of servicemen at war. Hospitals were set up to cater for different kinds of injuries such as fractures, and those requiring plastic surgery and burns. However as the number of civilian casualties rose, the scheme extended its service to cater for victims of war such as those injured in domestic blitz attacks, as there were not as many military casualties as was expected. It was at this time that voluntary hospitals were thriving, however in the war years this posed a problem, as the hospitals began to find it increasingly difficult to get funding. They were also located randomly around the country , thus meaning that many ill patients were not able to be treated. The experience that was gained by the formation of the EMS was used as an example of what could be achieved. It could therefore be said that this was one of the first ideas and positive movements towards a national medical service. It was Walter Elliott, the present minister, who first suggested that government should look at a state run hospital service, rather than the Emergency Hospital Scheme which they already had. The Beveridge report was released on 1st December 1942, this focused on social insurance and allied services. Beveridge wanted to ensure that the people of Britian were well cared for and no longer confined to awful conditions. The main ideas in this report outlined the beginnings of a welfare state, he also believed that the Government should eradicate the Five Giant Evils of Want, Disease, Ignorance, Squalor and Idleness.  [6]  It was to be fully financed by insurance contributions, however private treatment would still be available. It was in this report that Beveridge proclaimed the need for a health service, however he was not precise and no detailed plans were explained. It has been argued that idea of this report becoming implemented resulted in a landslide voting for the Labour party in the 1945 elections. People believed that it would be a success and were eager for it to be introduced. However this changed notions of laissez faire. Clement Atlee was elected Prime Minister after the Labour Party defeated Winston Churchills Conservative Party in 1945. It was at this time that Atlee implemented the idea of the Welfare State, which included a National Health Service and Social Security. The Minister of Health Anuerin Bevan was appointed the role of conducting the service. A National insurance scheme was also set up by Lloyd George in 1911. People in work still had to make contributions each week, as well as employers, but the benefits provided were now much greater. When the NHS was finally started on 5th July 1948 as part of the National Insurance Scheme, The English society had just come out of a major war and were therefore used to having little and thus were content with the simplicity of the health service and saw it as an improvement. The NHS advocated many sanctions including, free general practioners and patient care for all, nationalisation of hospitals, as well as the capitation of general practictioners. It was funded entirely by public taxations. This was a great relief for the poor. The poor gained access to doctors and a range of treatments previously beyond their means, and no longer needed to worry economically about illness or injury.  [7]  However this soon changed in 1951 when charges were imposed for prescriptions, teeth and spectacles. There were many successes as well as failures with the NHS as a whole. It promoted medical technology and advancement of drugs such as penicillin which on the other hand was over used during this period. Infant mortality was reduced as a result of women being able to give birth in clean sanitised areas. There were no longer restrictions for who could be treated. However, the NHS had many problems with finance as overspending was a regular occurance. The NHS budget ed for one million pounds for opticians, but within a year 5.25 million spectacle prescriptions  [8]   There was much opposition to the National Health Service even before it was officially set up. Doctors in particular were deeply displeased, they were worried that as a result of standardisation they would ultimately lose money for their profession. Many of the medical professionals relied on visiting private patients and were not treating people in the hospital. Margret Grieve a midwife worked in Dumfries she explained why the other doctors were concerned with a move towards a universal service. there was apprehension about being employed by the government. I remember the consultants talking about it. Most of them earned only a pittance from their hospital work, so they depended on private patients for their living, and they were afraid of losing that. The private patients did not want it either. But the ones coming back from the war were happy with the NHS, because they did not have the private patients.  [9]  The BMA (British Medical Association) believed that the move towards a salarised service would pose a threat to clinical freedom. The BMA were serious about what they believed and made a stand. They told their members not to conform to the Act, and asked them to sign a petition in agreement that they would refuse to serve until the government accepted almost conditions put forward by their council.  [10]  The BMA were probably the most powerful organisation to oppose the NHS as without doctors, the NHS would not have been able to run and ultimately survive. The Minister of Health said that, until the autumn of 1947,there had been some prospect that the medical profession as a whole would willingly accept the scheme for a National Health Service, and many leading members of the profession were still favourably disposed to it.  [11]  There was conflict between the medical professions and government up until the NHS act was passed in 1948, in April of the same year it looked unpromising that the doctors would even join. Doctors representatives and most Tory policitians sought secure funding for hospitals, but were unwilling to see the prestigious charity hospitals subordinated in an extension of local authority services.  [12]   Only the most senior doctors in hospitals (consultants) were allowed to continue private treatment.  [13]  Churches and Charities also feared that they would be forced to become nationalised and would become inclusive of the NHS plans. However in due time the BMA had no choice but to release its members from their agreements as the professionals had began joining the NHS, had resigned from the BMA and therefore were not taking any notice of the BMA advice. Resignations from the BMA increased every month during the second half of 1912.  [14]  Bevan had to compromise a lot for the BMA, he allowed GPs and consultants to continue to run their private practises as well as an increased salary for consultants and nurses. The professionals also began to realise that by not going the NHS they would become less financially stable. Bevan did all he could do and gave them offers that they could not refuse. I stuffed their mouths with gold.  [15]  In effect Bevan compromised with the BMA, by making the NHS sound appealing to them. However the Conservation party also were not fully accepting of the service and the labour party were also divided over the direction of a health service, Herbert Morrison believed that the service should not be run by the government but by the local councils. However this went against what Bevan was advocating, as it defeated the object that the service was to be universal. There was no necessarily a lot of opposition to the National Health Service, but the main opposition being the BMA was the largest and the most significant, as without professionals it would not have been able to function. Bevan saw this as a challenge.