NATIONAL HEALTH SCHEME

Chronicle (Levin), 24 December 1946, Page 7

NATIONAL HEALTH SCHEME

(Special Correspondeut.)

B.M.A. OPXNION D1V1DJED

Keceived 'i'uesday, 7.30 p.m. LONDUN, Dec. 23. . Two leading British medieal weekliea. the Lancet and the British Medieal Journal, refiect a' division of opimpn about the future course of action of the B.M.A. iu dealing Avilh Ihe Uuvernment's uatioual healtli service scheme. The British Aledical Journal says : "in framing his Acl, tlie Alinister of Health . refused to negotiatc with tho medieal profession. A reeont plebisciLe sliowed that 20,000 doctors, in tlieir tuni, were not in favour of negotiating vvitli Mr. Bevan. It tlierefore appears clear ,that the uegotiating cominittee, of whieh the B.M.A. is one of the coustituent bodies, is dead and tliat a n.ew body should be set up to deal with the matter." The journal does not make it clear whether the func-tion of this proposed body would be to find a way out of the present impasse or to concert resistance to the Governnient 's proposals. The Lancet, 011 tlie contrary, talces tlie vieAV that the small majoritv against entering into discussions does not justify non-cooperation with the Governnient and suggests that even if the B.M.A. refuses to cooperate other bodies, notablv the Roval Colleges, will be unlikely to refuse their assistance in tlieir OAvn sphere. Tlie Medieal Scrvices Guild whieh opposes tlie deeision of the B.M.A., has already invited the Confederation of Healtli Berviees Lniployees to cooperate with in in representing those who voted ' yes ' ' in tlie recenl plebifcite. '