Northern Ireland Doctors 'Looking Back And Looking Forward' On 60 Years Of The NHS

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 27 Jun 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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Doctors from the past and present are featured in a new British Medical Association publication commemorating the 60th birthday of the NHS. 'Looking Back Looking Forward' highlights key milestones in NHS history and honours doctors' contribution to medicine and health care over the last 60 years.

A collection of stories, featuring doctors who were studying medicine or who qualified at the start of the NHS, reflect personal experiences of the early years in NHS history and BMA doctors, representing today's medical profession, look ahead to the next 60 years and beyond.

Northern Ireland doctors - Dr Oliver Woods, his son Dr John Woods and Dr Brian Patterson - are featured in the publication on pages 11, 12, 13 and 24.

Dr Oliver Woods is part of four generations of doctors. His grandfather, both his parents and he were all GPs in the County Armagh area; his son is a consultant in Belfast. In 'Looking Back Looking Forward' he says: "I was only 13 when the NHS was set up but my parents often talked about the early years of the health service. They were excited about its introduction but also viewed it with trepidation.

"Prior to the NHS those patients who couldn't afford to pay had to go to the dispensary doctor for a free consultation and medication; there was a certain stigma attached to this, with no choice of doctor. With the new health service, patients looked forward to choosing their general practitioner, developing a relationship with him or her and obtaining totally free care."

Dr Woods goes on to describe the marked increase in workload which the NHS brought. "In our practice there were morning, afternoon and evening surgeries. The Saturday evening surgery was the most popular of the week, when farmers came into town, some to evening Confession, some to the pub to socialise - often starting in the doctor's waiting room!"

He remembers that in the early years of the NHS more than half of all babies were delivered a home, often in poor conditions, in houses with no running water. The midwife was present for the duration of the labour and the GP was sent for the birth, often too early or too late for the delivery. He recalls his mother writing to him at boarding school: "It is now three in the morning and I am waiting for a confinement out in the country. I have darned your father's and your socks and am taking the opportunity to write to you."

Dr Woods says his parents loved their work, as he did, and advised their patients not only on purely medical matters but on coping with the problems of daily life and rearing a family. They were very much involved in the community and greatly respected by everyone.

He continues: "I think some of the finest achievements of the NHS have been the provision of free medical care and the marked reduction in maternal mortality and in perinatal and neonatal mortality rates.

"One of the best things about being a GP was that you were an independent contractor. You had a list of patients you cared for in the widest sense, which was a source of mutual satisfaction and respect.

"I believe that the biggest challenge to the NHS in the future is the rising cost of the highly technical, highly specialised and highly expensive medical advances and the rationing of care."

Notes

The NHS celebrates its 60th birthday on Saturday 5th July 2008.

'Looking Back Looking Forward' can be accessed on the BMA's website here.

Dr Oliver Woods is a retired Armagh GP. His son Dr John Woods is a Consultant in Nephrology in Belfast and has worked in the NHS for almost 30 years. Dr Brian Patterson is a GP Principal in Portglenone and has worked in general practice since 1979.

British Medical Association