| Description | Minutes, correspondence and related papers, January - December 1947, including report delivered by Mary Esslemont to Council meeting of 10 May 1947 (hand-written notes) and Negotiating Committee report delivered during the annual general meeting, Bournemouth, 24 - 25 October 1947 (hand-written notes).
Topics covered include the re-election of Mary Esslemont as representative of the Medical Women's Federation on the Negotiating Committee; the nomination of Dr Anne Gillie as representative on the Central Health Services Council; the nomination of representatives to the Regional Hospital Boards (lists of nominees attached); representation of the Federation on the Marriage Guidance Council and British Medical Association joint committee; medical women and the armed services; the medical examination of women and children in cases of criminal and indecent assault; the use of 'internal tampons'; and general administrative matters.
The following reports and publications are contained in the file:
Draft programme of the Fifth Congress of the Medical Women's International Association, Amsterdam, 24 - 30 June 1947;
Memorandum, 'Future Policy in the Provision of Day Nurseries';
Standing Committee on Social Medicine, 'Recommendations concerning the Curtis Report' [regarding provisions for adoption, fostering and children's homes];
Memorandum, 'Women Doctors in the Armed Forces';
Programme of events in connection with Council meeting held in Aberdeen, 9 - 11 May 1947;
'Summary of Reports from Local Associations and Individuals on the Existence of a Marriage Bar to the Employment of Married Medical Women';
Draft memorandum by the Scottish Committee on Social Medicine to the Secretary of State for Scotland on '... the Care of Homeless Children';
Copy letter to 'The Times' newspaper regarding the National Service Bill, women's exemption from conscription, and related issues regarding equal pay and status for equal work, 11 June 1947;
Draft of article by Mary Esslemont, probably intended for publication in the Federation's Journal, highlighting the following points for concern in the new National Health Service: insufficient numbers of doctors for anticipated increase in patients' demand and expectations - as a result, Government must make full use of part-time and women doctors (stresses that most part-time doctors are, in any case, women); abolition of the sale and purchase of medical practices; mode of remuneration of general practitioners; methods of selection and appointment of doctors to practices where vacancies are over-subscribed; lack of discussion regarding the future of the Child Welfare Service (in which many women doctors are interested) and Maternity Services - the roles of the general practitioner and other health care professionals must be clarified; lack of detailed planning regarding the creation of new 'Health Centres'.
In the closing paragraph she states that: 'The challenge of our time in Britain is to help our country recover from the devastating effects of a world war in which we sacrificed our all. It is a great challenge and anything we can do to prevent sickness and enable our patients to pull their full weight as healthy citizens will be work well done. We must therefore discuss all our problems in connection with our new Health Service in an atmosphere of co-operation and goodwill.' |