| Description | Tracks 1 - 15
Tracks 1 - 10 are a continuation of Charles Parker's interview with Margaret Stanton of South Birmingham Community Health Council of 17 September 1977. Tracks 11 - 15 record the first part of an interview between Parker and Dave Rogers of Banner and Joan Rettel of the Socialist Medical Association.
Margart Stanton discusses her role and workload within South Birmingham CHC (Track 6). She also comments on a range of subjects affecting the NHS. These include health centres, commercial deputising services for GPs and the recruitment of hospital doctors (Track 1). Reference is made to the women's working group of South Birmingham CHC (Track 2). A need for greater staff involvement in decision making within the NHS is identified (Track 4) and the impact of reorganisation on the West Midlands Ambulance Service is discussed (Tracks 4 - 5). Different approaches to psychiatry are discussed (Track 7) as is the U.K. tax system and trade union responses to Dennis Healey's policies (Track 8). NHS expenditure on drugs and relations between the health service and the drugs industry are considered (Tracks 9 - 10).
Hospitals referred to include Birmingham Eye and Selly Oak (Track 2) and closure proposals for city hospitals such as the Women's, St Chad's, the Skin and the Accident (Tracks 5 - 6).
Joan Rettel comments on health issues from the perspective as a member of the Socialist Medical Association. Subjects considered include community health councils and home births (Track 11).
Cuts in health services are noted and caution is expressed about opposition to all hospital proposals. The example of Birmingham Accident Hospital is cited, which she identifies as being unsuitable and inappropriate for further development. Rettel calls for a fully funded replacement and criticises Birmingham Trades Council (BTC} for opposing closure without calling for alternative plans (Track 12). A brief history of the Accident Hospital is given and reference is made to the former Queen's Hospital on the site (Track 12).
Track 13 considers provision of accident services in Birmingham. Specialist hospitals such as the Queen Elizabeth and Walsgrave Hospitals are also criticised for absorbing resources that could otherwise be provided for community health projects. Geriatric service provision is considered in Track 14.
Rettel refers to her membership of Central Birmingham CHC in tracks 14 - 15.
Total: 44:54 minutes
Dubber's reference number: PLA20f2 KF573E0720280 |