Hospital consultants are continuing their work-to-rule in many areas of the country. in support of their dem and for a new contract allowing them unlimited private practice.
This work-to-rule is further lowering the standard of health care for the working class.
In the last six weeks, the number of Far, Nose and Throat out-patient appointments has dropped by an incredible 80 per cent. In onc city in the South-West, 2,000 appointments in all specialities have been postponed. in Crewe the waiting list hus built up Lo seven months, and in some places, lists are so long that no date at all can be given for an appointment!
Overall, a quarter of a million patients have had appointments deferred or cancolled. In notsent treatment 15 also Doing roduced, and women are suffering partice ularly with a 40 percent drop in gy naccological operations, and up to ciple years waiting time for not urgent surgery.
Alls not well amongst the consultants In spite of tac boasts of the BMA Council and the Hospital Canseltants and Specialises Association, claiming near-fotal sapport among their members, cracks are beginning to appear.
The HCSA and BlA are losing members and these is talk of dropping che right for Service and going for a big pay award instcad.
Bat the leaders of the BMA and HCSA att thus consultals ulte hole waret fur fram private practice in large citios tike London. Those are the people who have the real say in the BM/ and the HCSA.
Li 1945, the leaders of the BMA continued to fight against the setting up of the Labour's proposals.
These cracks in the edifice of the modical prolession are no reason for com placency As in 1946, the present Labour Government is still making concesion after concession. Already the 1974 Labour Party Conterence decision not lo allow part tme consultants in the NIIS has been overturned. No steps have yet been taken to phase out For an acuu barbara Last fas still be possible to discuss future atranceSTRUGGLE FOR HEALTH PAMPHLET No 1 IMG pamphlet of the Health Service. Av ailable from: Red Books, 97 Caladonian Rd., London, N1. 15p linc. p&pl ments tor pepate practice in the NHS NOT SLOW Irvate medical caterprises huve nor been sow to lake advantage of Labout's song uclay in removing private bods from the NAS Pass for new hospital building are going ahead all over the country. Sone Labour counce lors have Wireztenco to oppose These mores on politica grounds CH BLPA says even if we are lacod with a lot af political tibustering, we shall Although it is TUC policy to oppose privale practice both inside and outside the the American Medical Group Has boasted that"s large union" is chinking of investing are planning to huild in Westminster!
The Labour Government and trade told the Secretary of the BMA that it would to-rule by the consultants. They are con tent to watch the creation of a two-tica health service: fine for the rich who can afford private lees, and a lousy run-down NHS for the working class In Westminster, Labour councillons have made a call fot a ban on all expans jons of private clinics in central London. But the Tory majority on the council will for new private facilities on the merit of indivicust applications:
If the Labour councillers ase serious about lighting the growth of private practice, they should wart now with a campaign to mobilise the local Labour mavement to put an embargo on the baikling of private clinies and hospitals ACTION COMMITTEE it has been left to health workers and other trade unionists to ticht co defend the NUS. The Harmersinith Joint Shop Stewards Commitlee has called for an All London Action Committee of health workers tram hospilals taking action apist private practice in the London area. Initiatives such as this can break the tyranny of the consultants within the NIIS Health worker alene cannot win this strugs. At sections of the werking class campaign to defend the NHS apainst the blows of the capilatist crisis. As a first for the Londor demonstration on 22 February. The demonstration has already get the support of Sid Bidwell MP. Ernie Roberts (AUEW), Bran Nicholson (EGWUl, Jack Colins (NUMD, Harrow and
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DEFEND THE NHS Private Practice NOW!