Statement in regard to the Minister of Health's White Paper on the establishment of "A National Health Service."
1944 1944 1940s 18 pages higher positions increased, by reason of the larger staff. Restrictions to certain grades by and through junior examination became operative. Today there is no possibilty [possibility] of proceeding by way of the domestic staff to any administrative positions. There are thre...
| Institution: | MCR - The Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick |
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| Language: | English English |
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[1944]
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10796/474E7920-C27B-47C0-B9FE-29F441C6BE95 http://hdl.handle.net/10796/D2D09317-9A3D-421A-AB38-507DB21B346A |
| Summary: | 1944
1944
1940s
18 pages
higher positions increased, by reason of the larger staff. Restrictions to certain grades by and through junior examination became operative. Today there is no possibilty [possibility] of proceeding by way of the domestic staff to any administrative positions. There are three water-tight departments (excluding medical and nursing staffs). (i) Administrative and clerical; (2) Domestic, (3) Engineering and maintenence. This position applies equally to female staffs. There is no incentive for promotion and certainly no training facilities are offered. Today there is a saying "Once a Hospital Porter, always a Hospital Porter." Many are asking the question as to the difficulty of obtaining the right type pf [of] staff, and retaining them. The answer is clear, Until a proper system of training and examination is introduced, by means of which some promotion in the service can be afforded, so long will the present situation obtain. In this connection an understanding of the vocational nature of the work must be understood. The staff employed are not producing something into which the craftsman's skill and interest can be supplied. Year in and year out the staff are engaged in a routine which often becomes monotonous and depressing. Life is continuously spent in an environment of ill-health; disease; infection, and often, as can be appreciated, difficult types of individuals in consequence of such afflictions are encountered. Imagine if one can an earnest woman commencies [commences] in the service, full of enthusiasm and interest, and after the passing of years finding that there is not the slightest avenue for advancement. Two courses are open. To leave the service as soon as possible and to find some other kind of work more congenial, or feeling the vocational tugging of the work, to put up with all the inconveniences of the service in a desire to serve others. There is another aspect which has to be taken into consideration. The services must be maintained day and night. Duty hours are often very difficult., operating in a three or two shift system. Residence at the hospital or institution is required, and the staff are obliged to forfeit the joy of having their own home and thus being enable to get away daily, for a short while from the environment of their labours. Surely it is essential in any comprehensive scheme that every facility should be provided so that those engaged in the Health Services will be enable to train and fit themselves for the highest executive position, if qualified by experience and examination. To attract the right type who will be prepared to accept the hazards and to put up with all the difficulties and inconveniences,the Government must take a bold course at the outset. It is in this direction that the Minister shoud [should] be advised by the organised trade union movement. 12. DRUGS AND MEDICAL APPLIANCES. The Central Medical Board will also deal with the question of the supply of drugs and appliances for patients. Special attention is directed to a quietly hinted 'threat' - a survival of the old means test. The supply of the 'more expensive appliances' is stated to be dependent on payment by the patient 'if his financial resources permit'. or at least a contribution towards the cost. Government Departments, under pressure from the Treasury, cannot escape from the attitude of trying to penalize a citizen for his ill-health, and attesting to extract as much as they can from some unfortunate individual whose recovery may be retarded without the aid of an 'expensive' surgical appliance. Surely in a 'free health service' which every citizen contributes, if an expensive appliance is medically required as being necessary for the patient's comfort and health, the more desirable it is that the citizen contrbuting [contributing] to the scheme should have it without any penalisation. Here is an interesting comparison. The doctors object to the scheme because it may deprive them of a goodly living in continous attendance on some patient who can afford every luxury. By reason of this system many really ill persons cannot receive proper condideration [consideration]. They are not able to foot the bill. The doctors win in the struggle with the Minister and the citizen who has been a blessed (or cursed) with an abundance of this world's goods can obtain and receive all the attention he requires at the expences of those who are not so privileged. The reverse now applies. A Citizen who requires an 'expensive medical appliance' (note who is to determine the degree of 'expensiveness' to which this applies) will not receivr [receive] the same unless he 'contribures' [contributes] something towards it. It is frankly stressed that this point will be of 'particular importance in connection with dental and ophthalmic services'. Already the thin edge of the wedge of extra payments for necessary artifical teeth and spectacles is raised, regardless of the already 9.
292/847/2/43 |
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| Physical Description: | TEXT |