decided to continue with the ban on private patients.
The NUPE branch bad requested a date from management from which private patients would be phased out. Management refused to discuss this with the union and a ban was then placed on privale patients.
Sanctions Include withdrawal of portering services, transport of specimens for tests, and meals. Because the 15-20 private patients in the Hammersmith are scattered amongst ordinary NIS patients, it is a more difficult ban to enforce than one where all the private patients are grouped in one ward. In general however the ban appears to be working quite successtully.
The joint shop stewards" committee have distributed a leaflet to the NHS patients explaining the purpose of the ban COMMITTEE At the recent London Conference organised by the Central London branch of ASTMS on the Crisis in the NHS, doctors and medical students voted to set up a Medical Committee aguinst Private Practice.
The group held its first meeting last week, which was attended by hospital registrats, housemen, medical students and general practitioners. THE ALREADY OVER-WORKED A MASS MEETING of trade union members at Hammersmith Hospital has The ban has been imposed by the joint shop stewards committee which includes members of ASTMS, NUPE, UCATT, AUEW and COHSE.
They decided to establish research groups to inquire into how private practice operates in various areas such as teaching hospitals, NHS district hospitals, private hospitals, abortion clinies and general practice.
The aim of the group will be to mobilise, especially in the London area, doctors and students to take specific acrions against private practice, bell inside and outside the Interested medics should contact the secretary, Dr. Nigel Leigh, 50A Arbour Square, London E1-790 4891.
The National Association of Local Government Officers has issued a leaflat saying: Join with NALGO in total opposition to any attempts to expand private patients facilities within the NHS and to the development of a privale sector for medical cares RALLY The Jeaflet calls for support for the demonstration and mass rally against private practice being organised by the Westminster Trades Council on Saturday 31 August. Support for the demonstration which will march on the Wellington private hospitalis growing. The demonstration 1s and the NUS (health students" section). and assistant secretary Chris Longworth outside Hammersmith Hospital after informing the management of the private patient ban, NHS. Health workers are posed with HYDE PARK supported by ASTMS, NUPE, NALGO NUPE branch secretary Bill Geddes (left)
PRACTICE!
SPEAKERS CORNER 11 a.m. Saturday 31 August 1974 followed by a march to the Wellington Hospital, St. John's Wood. Speakers will include ARTHUR LATHAM M.P. and STEVE JOHNSON, NALGO Hesith