THE PEDIATRICIAN AND THE PUBLIC

Abstract

THIS issue contains two communications concerning the British National Health Service; a letter from Dr. Hugh C. Thompson, who is a member of the Tucson Clinic, Tucson, Arizona; and a reply by Dr. Edwards A. Park. The first two papers are those which were presented by a panel of visiting experts who were invited to discuss the British National Health Service at the recent annual meeting of the American Public Health Association in New York City. The first paper is by Mr. J. T. Rice-Edwards, F.R.C.S., who appeared as the official representative of the British Medical Association. One point brought out in the panel discussion was that the present National Health Service in Great Britain is not the child of the Labor Government, but rather had been agreed to in principle by all major parties. As early as 1933 the British Medical Association had recommended to the government that the panel system which then covered less than 50% of the population should be greatly expanded. The Beveridge Report, which laid the foundation for the whole broad welfare program, including the National Health Service, was accepted in principle by Mr. Churchill's government in 1942. Mr. Rice-Edwards points out in his paper that the profession agreed to accept service under the Minister of Health and also to make the service available to 100% of the population in 1944, before the present government came into power.