Statement in regard to the Minister of Health's White Paper on the establishment of "A National Health Service."
1944 1944 1940s 18 pages APPENDIX I. Since the completion of the foregoing observations, and at that time we were unaware of the final conclusions of the British Hospitals Association deliberated in 'secret' and now issued in a very exclusive and 'secret' document...
| 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/10796/6FFE207C-7CD3-4549-B34F-F92DB929D611 http://hdl.handle.net/10796/4CC4AA99-C775-480E-B94F-04360C16AE4A |
| Summary: | 1944
1944
1940s
18 pages
APPENDIX I. Since the completion of the foregoing observations, and at that time we were unaware of the final conclusions of the British Hospitals Association deliberated in 'secret' and now issued in a very exclusive and 'secret' document to its supporters, we are filled with graver misgivings. Citizens and trade unionists particularly should be awake to the dangers, for it is understood that the B.H.A. intent to raise a "Fighting Fund" of £10,000 to 'enforce its demands on the Government. It is interesting to note that in all the Government's schemes for the benefit of the people in the post-war reconstruction, vested interests in all directions are now attempting to 'lop off' as much as possible in the preservation of their own vested rights. What are the demands of the B.H.A? 1. The establishment of a 'Central Hospitals Board' which must be a statutory body and "that it shall be incumbent on the Minister of Health to consult such body." In other words, the B.H.A., on behalf of itself and the medical profession, to whom it is closely allied, demand an over-riding power in the matter of the Hospital Services over the functions of the Minister of Health in centrally administering the Health Services of the Country. Indirectly, the B.H.A. seek to over-ride Parliament, for the Minister of Health is directly responsible to Parliament, and through Parliament to the people. The powers of the Minister are to be 'tied' and 'controlled' by a conglomerate number of people who receive no mandate from any public source. 2. In regard to Local organisation the BH.A. [B.H.A.] is not prepared to accept the plan as laid down in the White Paper, obscure as that may be. It insists on the establishment of 'Local Hospital Councils' upon which they shall have NOT LESS than 50 per cent representation, and that such a Council shall be a "Statutory body" charged with the duty of preparing plans for the Hospital Services. This plan, like the laws of the Medes and Persians, is unalterable. It would be forwarded to the Joint Authority who would have no power to alter or amend it. In its 'modest claims' the B.H.A. does, most graciously, concede to the Joint Authority the privilege of 'commenting' on the plan. As far as the plan is concerned, this Joint Authority will be mainly composed of elected representatives of the people, nominated by Statutory Bodies. In its counter-proposals the B.H.A. hopes to 'tie' and 'control' the power of these authorities and to throw overboard the principle of the limited democratic control so far conceded in the White Paper. It is interesting to observe the reasons for these demands. The following is extracted from the memorandum:- "An administrative structure without the hospital boards and councils (as demanded by the B.H.A.) would pass the whole of the control of the hospital services of the country into the hands of the major local authorities". The British Hospitals Association therefore deduces that the Local Authorities will favour their own existing hospitals rather than the Voluntary Hospitals they may acquire, and this, in their mistaken view, would inevitably lower the standard of the Hospital Service. Such an allegation is interesting, when it is realised that the present Local Authorities are already soley [solely] responsible for such treatment as Infectious Diseases Hospitals; Tuberculosis treatment; Venereal Diseases treatment; Cancer treatment; Mental Health Services; Maternity and Child Welfare; Health of the School Children; Homes for Aged and Infirm, and Chronic Sick Institutions. For these services the Local Authorities are solely responsible, but there is in addition the now vast Municipal Hospital system built up since 1930 which, with the exception of the Medical School provision, is more than equal to the Voluntary Hospitals system, and is not dependent upon charity. In other words, the B.H.A. demand that the Voluntary Hospitals must continue to be the private preserve of the social climber and the high fee charging specialists; and, at the same time, be given statutory powers over democratically elected authorities, including the Government of the Country. 16
292/847/2/43 |
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| Physical Description: | TEXT |