HEALTH SCHEME IN BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25081, 13 January 1947, Page 6

HEALTH SCHEME IN BRITAIN

POLICY SET OUT BY MINISTER (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 5.10 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 10. In a letter to the presidents of the three Royal Medical Colleges, the Minister of Health (Mr Aneurin Bevan) denies that the National Health Service Act will make British medical men a new category of civil servants. He also denies that he is reluctant to negotiate with the medical profession about the working of the act. “The issue for the medical profession to-day is not whether they will join the, service, the final shape of which is yet to be known,” said Mr Bevan, “but whether they will accept or forgo the opportunity to influence its shaping. I want to have their help and advice in this task, and I assure them that if discussions take place I shall endeavour to meet any views of the profession which do not conflict with the purposes of the act.” Replying to a questionnaire addressed to him by the three presidents the Minister also makes it plain that the Government has accepted the view of the profession that remuneration should be based substantially on capitation fees, and has rejected the conception of a full, salaried service. He also emphasised that the act does not confer power on the Ministry to direct a’ doctor to go anywhere, or undertake any specific work, that there will be no interference with the clinical freedom of any doctor, and that independent specialist practice will be permitted to continue. The British Medical Association has noft published the final figures of its plebiscite calling for a “Yes” or “No” answer as to whether its members desire to negotiate with the Government. These show that 54 per cent, voted against negotiation and 46 per cent for it.

Members of the association are now considering the effect of the plebiscite and will make recommendations to the council of the association for consideration at a special meeting to be held in London on January 28. This leeting will probably reach a definite conclusion on whether or not the association will agree to discuss the act further with Mr Bevan.