British Medical Association - Establishment of The NHS

Establishment of The NHS

Although the BMA agreed in principle with the establishment of the NHS, the BMA objected to the administration methods and the lack of consultation and negotiation with doctors regarding the scheme and the effects that the NHS would have on doctors' lives.

By 1945 a negotiating committee was set up and by 15 December 1945 it had announced seven principles with which the proposed service should comply if it were to be supported by the profession. The seven principles were;

1. No salaried service
2. Clinical freedom
3. Free choice of doctor for patients
4. Free choice for doctors of form and place of work
5. Freedom of every registered practitioner to join the public service
6. A hospital service centred on universities
7. Adequate professional representation on all administrative bodies

Having gained a number of concessions from the government, the National Health Services Bill was published on 20 March 1946 and became law on 6 November 1946. The BMA conducted a referendum of its members to consider the Act. After 3 votes and a Special Representatives Meeting, the BMA Council recommended that the profession cooperate in the new health service and the NHS came into operation in 5 July 1948. The BMA has continued to play an important role in the NHS, specially in the negotiation of doctor’s terms and conditions. The association also made a number of significant contributions to high profile government reports during the 1950s and 60s, such as The Royal Commission on Marriage and Divorce (1951) and The Wolfenden Committee (1955).