Fifty years ago: The new NHS: Safeguards secured

BMJ 1998;316:1661 ( 30 May )

Filler

Fifty years ago

The new NHS: Safeguards secured

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The Special Representative Meeting called to consider the results of the April plebiscite and the recommendations of Councillast Friday brought to an end a debate which has lasted nearlysix years by passing the Council's recommendation advising themedical profession to co-operate in the National Health Service.The meeting also had before it a letter from the Ministry of Healthoutlining the proposed content of the Amending Bill and referringto other matters recently discussed. This letter and an accountof the meeting are recorded in this week's Supplement. By decidingto co-operate the Representative Body brought BMA policy intoline with responsible public opinion, and has confirmed its reputationfor sane judgment in the world of medical politics. (Editorial,5 June 1948, p 1086. See also editorial by Gordon Macpherson,3 January 1998, p 6.)