Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-04-30
British Medical Men
Fear Loss Of Incentive
Under Specialization


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LONDON. April Is by All
mall Are the doctors and den
lists Of England doomed and oes-
tined TO become civil servants
VIII they be swallowed Up IN the
vas. government bureaucracy tina.
gradually is dominating every es-
sential service Of English life?
These are questions being raised
with increasing concern wherever
professional men get tosether In
England these days
When ! was here less than two
years ago. the medical profession
was almost unanimous IN vo.cins
opposition TO socialized medicine
Now the picture is completely
reversed. Approximately IS per
cent Of the doctors and s5 per
cent OF the dentists have signed
up for the plan. Many Of the
less capahle-men. therefore. with
small incomes-joined up early
when they saw the prospect Of
financial security.
The more capable. notably the
specialists, came in only after .
long struggle and when there ap-
peared little further use In nsh,-
Ing the scheme. Today they have
accepted state medicine as a per
manent institution. However. they
are beginning 10 wonder what will
happen TO them and TO the stand
ards Of the profession as the gov
eminent exercises increasing
control over their economic exist
ence as well as their professional
work. !
Fear Of Retaliation.
Surely We are on our way 10
becoming ordinary civil servants.
1t is inevitable under this plan
a top-flight Harley street special
list told me-after being assured
his name wouldn't be used. He
indicated the doctors are fearful
Of retaliation from the Health
Ministry II they are too emphatic
in their criticism OF socialiZed
medicine. They have 50 many
ways of putting pressure on US.
you know" he explained. But
do wonder what 1t will be like
when we take all our orders on
practice and techniques from some
government chap"
Officials Of the Health Ministry
are quick to deny there will be
any attempt to make civil servants
OF the doctors and dentists. But.
after close questioning. one Official
did admit that the very essentials
Of the system could lead to Just
that.
For instance. the dentists have
had bonanza In these first nine
months Of socialized medicine. So
many millions OF people have
rushed in for dental service. the
dentists have been working almost
day and night. Many have col
lected fees which will give them
annual incomes Of equalling $685.
600 to $4,000. But the Health
Ministry is taking steps to bring
these incomes into line by cutting
the government fees paid dem
lists. It has been announced that
no dentist will be permitted to
make more than $25 900. no mat
ter how long he works or how
many patients he serves. The
result: The dentists are organic
ing what is equivalent to a labor
union to bargain with the Health
Ministry on fees and working
conditions.
Standard May Drop.
Will they strike il they don't
like the governments decisions?
I don't know. but 1t Is easy 10
foresee that the standard of
dental service will shortly deteri-
crate II there is no individual In
centive for good work and prompt
service.
And II the dentists organize a
union and get away with II. the
doctors will be forced to do the
same thing. The obvious answer
of the Health Ministry will be to
put both doctors and dentists
under civil service and pay them
fixed salaries based on seniority
OF service Just as we pay our postal
and other civil service employees
in the United States.
1t isn't an encouraging outlook
for the progress and development
Of medical science In England.
The present generation Of highly
capable medical men. Of course.
will maintain their high standard
Of service even though they are
mid by the government. What
they are worried about Is the next
generation Of doctors and the ones
after that.
IF all incentive for outstanding
service Is taken away. how viii we
induce bright young men to enter
the profession?" they ask. The
best you can offer them win be
security as civil servants and that
isn't enough for . young chap
with q burning zeal to be . great
doctor"