Medicine and health in Wales before the NHS: Welsh print collection

The National Library of Wales (NLW) holds a unique collection of Welsh and Welsh-interest printed material relating to medicine and health. Inspired by the 70th anniversary of the NHS in 2018, we want to improve access to this material and raise the profile of the collection. A significant part of the collection is not catalogued and is hidden from library users, while catalogued items are only available to those visiting the NLW building in Aberystwyth.

We will catalogue all unlisted Welsh and Welsh-interest printed material relating to medicine and health. We will also digitise all items from before 1900 and digitise a full set of annual reports and printed minutes from the King Edward VII Welsh National Memorial Association. This was an influential pre-NHS all-Wales networked public health organisation offering free healthcare, in this case to treat tuberculosis. We will also improve public engagement with this important collection.