The DHSS Minister, Eddie Teare MHK, accompanied by his Chief Executive, David Killip recently marked the 60^th Anniversary of the commencement of the National Health Service, in the Isle of Man, at a ceremony in Braddan.

Damped by slightly inclement weather, for July, Mr Teare made a shortened presentation on the history of the NHS; stating that 1948 was a good year - as both he and the NHS were born in that year.

The following is an extract of his speech:

“THE HISTORY OF THE NHS ON THE ISLAND IS INTERESTING. IN KEEPING WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS IN THE UK, THE ISLE OF MAN HAD BENEFITED FROM THE SO-CALLED “FRIENDLY SOCIETIES" WHICH PROVIDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO SCHEME MEMBERS IN TIMES OF SICKNESS, ON A CONTRIBUTORY BASIS, BUT ALSO PROVIDED MEMBERS WITH A MEDICAL BENEFIT.

THE ROLE OF THE STATE IN TERMS OF HEALTH INTERVENTION WAS, FOR A LONG TIME, CONFINED TO MATTERS OF PUBLIC HEALTH SUCH AS SANITATION AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING HOUSING.

ALTHOUGH CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OVERSAW THESE MATTERS, THE DELIVERY OF THEM WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES. THERE WAS NO PROVISION FOR PERSONAL MEDICAL SERVICES AND THERE WAS NO ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE FOR THE ELDERLY, CHRONICALLY SICK, OR YOUNG CHILDREN. GRADUALLY, THE PUBLIC HEALTH FUNCTIONS OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES EXPANDED.

THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME, CREATED IN THE UK IN 1913 AND IN THE ISLE OF MAN IN 1921, MARKED ANOTHER ADVANCE, BECAUSE IN ADDITION TO CASH BENEFITS DURING SICKNESS, MEDICAL ATTENTION AND MEDICINES WERE PROVIDED IN RETURN FOR CONTRIBUTIONS FROM EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES AND A GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY.

HOWEVER, MEDICAL SERVICES WERE BROADLY RESTRICTED TO MANUAL WORKERS; THERE WAS AN INCOME LIMIT BEYOND WHICH THERE WAS NO ENTITLEMENT TO THE BENEFITS OF THE SCHEME AND HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION WAS NOT A PART OF THE SCHEME. INCIDENTALLY, 1921 WAS ALSO THE YEAR WHEN THE ISLE OF MAN GOVERNMENT ACQUIRED THE BALLMONA ESTATE.

ON THE ISLAND, THE INCEPTION OF THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE WAS A RATHER FRAUGHT AFFAIR. THE PROPOSED NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE WAS OF GREAT CONCERN TO GENERAL MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS.

AT 3 P.M. ON SUNDAY 4TH OF JULY 1948, A MEETING BETWEEN MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND THE GOVERNMENT TOOK PLACE IN GOVERNMENT OFFICE. A HEATED DEBATE ENSUED. THE LEADING OBJECTOR WAS, DR HAROLD KITCHEN, AND HE ARGUED PASSIONATELY AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT HAVING ANYTHING WHATSOEVER TO DO WITH MEDICINE, SAT DOWN, AND IMMEDIATELY SLUMPED DEAD IN HIS CHAIR! 

60 YEARS ON I THINK ALL OF US, POLITICAL MEMBERS, HEALTH SERVICE MANAGERS, DOCTORS, NURSES AND ALL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS CAN RIGHTLY TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN THE QUALITY OF OUR HEALTH FACILITIES AND THE PROFESSIONALISM AND COMMITMENT OF THOSE WHO USE THEM TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF OUR RESIDENTS.”

The new health centre, a replacement for the Palatine group practice, currently located in Murray’s Road in Douglas, represents a £1.3m investment by the DHSS, part of a series of upgrades to general practice and primary health facilities; and is due to open in May 2009.

Patient numbers have grown by 50%, since the Murray’s Road site opened in 1981, and the new centre, which has nearly three times the floor area, will offer greater flexibility and an improved environment for patients and staff.