National Health Service Bill (memorandum)
1946-05-24 1946 1940s 6 pages -3- committees respectively. The medical profession is to have a majority on the Council. In view of the extensive functions of the Council, we consider the medical membership is too large and that the number of appointments to be made after consultation with other gr...
| Institution: | MCR - The Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick |
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| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
24 May 1946
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10796/9F829683-5741-4B89-9B60-97C41628B6B3 http://hdl.handle.net/10796/F619FDB8-C62D-4E02-92E7-476DF167AC2B |
| Summary: | 1946-05-24
1946
1940s
6 pages
-3- committees respectively. The medical profession is to have a majority on the Council. In view of the extensive functions of the Council, we consider the medical membership is too large and that the number of appointments to be made after consultation with other groups of health workers should be increased. In particular we recommend that ad hoc committees should be appointed under the National Scheme for miscellaneous grades of health workers and that such committees should be represented on committees established under the Service in each case where provision is made for representation of other groups of health workers. An efficient health service will depend largely on an efficient and contented staff, and having regard to the character of duties, adequate appointments ought to be reserved for nurses. It is estimated that the total number for all nurses and midwives is 140,421 which includes trained nurses, assistant nurses, district nurses, private practice, midwives and health visitors. We therefore consider it reasonable that the nursing services should be on an equal footing with the medical profession so far as appointments to the various committees are concerned. The tenure of office of members of the Council and of any Standing advisory committee is to be fixed by regulations. In our view, the period of appointment should be fixed in the Bill, and should be not less than 5 years, with p[owe]r to renew. We would like clarification as to the Standing Advisory Committees which the Minister has in mind. Regional Hospital Boards (Section 11 and Part I of Third Schedule) With the Minister and in collaboration with the teaching hospitals, each Board will plan, and execute the plan, for the hospital and specialist service in its region. The Boards will thus be responsible for the administration of all the hospitals, other than teaching hospitals, in their region. In particular, under, Section 14 of the Bill, "all officers" of Hospitals providing hospital and specialist services (other than teaching hospitals) are to be employed by the Boards. Subject to regulations, the remuneration and conditions of service,of such officers will be determined by the Boards; we should like further information as to whether this applies to all hospital employees. Furthermore, Hospital local management committees will be appointed by the Boards (Third Schedule: Part II). It is clear that the Boards will occupy a key position, and we attach considerable importance to their constitution. The Bill provides that members will be appointed by the Minister after, consultation with:- Any university with a teaching school in the area, The medical profession, The local health authorities Others concerned (including initially those with experience of voluntary hospitals) At least two members shall be persons with experience in mental health services. No fixed proportion for these groups is laid down, and we would like further information in this matter. There would, however, seem to be a danger of medical overweighting on the Boards. We consider that local authorities must be
292/847/4/159 |
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| Physical Description: | TEXT |