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Hippocrates and Galen heavily influenced medieval medicine. The Church played an important role and new ideas came from Islamic medicine. Poor living conditions led to the spread of the Black Death.

The Renaissance period saw new discoveries, and some long-held ideas from ancient physicians such as Galen were challenged. Edward Jenner developed the first vaccine. There was continuity in beliefs about the causes and treatments for disease.

The work of Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch in the 19th century led to several key breakthroughs in medicine. These included knowledge of the causes of disease, vaccines, anaesthetics and antiseptics.

Urban populations increased rapidly in the 19th century. Diseases such as cholera, typhus and typhoid spread due to poor public health conditions. The work of Edwin Chadwick, John Snow and Charles Booth led to significant improvements.

In the 20th century, there was progress that built on the discoveries of the 19th century. The discovery of penicillin, DNA and new surgery methods all contributed to increases in life expectancy.

During World Wars One and Two, there were many advances in surgery, including plastic surgery and blood transfusions. The Beveridge Report led to the creation of the National Health Service (NHS) in 1948 and free health care for all.