Outdated Surveys

The National Health Services (NHS) introduced in Britain is depicted as a part of the post-war settlement between capital and labour. The NHS was essen- tially curative and hospital-based. Far from being a socialist health service, it remained in the hands of those who had always been in control, viz, the profession, medical equipment manufacturers and pharmaceutical industry. The priorities of the NHS tended to be defined in terms of the interests of capital rather than reflecting the needs of the patients, With the continued dependence of the NHS on private industry for the supply of equipment and drugs, the profits of the NHS went to the manufacturers of these inputs. The medical profession, who retained private practice using the NHS facilities, shared the gravy. The NHS labour force was highly stratified with different levels of pay, status and power over their work situation; and the health labour force reflected the class, social and sex bias of the wider society.