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58
It is quite possible, having regard to the provision of
Section 75 of the Public Health (London) Act, empowering
Local Sanitary Authorities to provide sanatoria and hospital
treatment, that strong pressure may be brought to bear
upon Borough Councils, with a view to inducing them to
exercise such power and to make provision for all
cases not included in the National Insurance Scheme.
Where there is so much that is confusing it is scarcely
possible to hazard an opinion, but in view of the fact that
there are numbers of cases of tubercular disease apparently
unprovided for, and which cases will be quite unable to
join any approved society, it seems reasonable to suppose
that every attempt will be made to throw the cost of and
responsibility for these cases upon the local authorities. It
will doubtless be suggested that, under the powers of the
above-mentioned section, to make provision for these cases
is simply an ordinary duty devolving upon the local
authority under the requirements of the Public Health
(London) Act.
The temptation to relieve the national scheme of such
a large share of cost and responsibility is too apparent to
be overlooked.
In any case it seems desirable that this point of view
may not be lost sight of, because there does appear to be
at least a possibility that, in addition to a large increase of
detail, and responsibility, your Council may find itself
involved in the cost of providing dispensaries, plus the staff
and all requisites necessary, and the supply of medical
treatment for such cases as cannot come in the general
scheme of approved society and deposit contributors.
John Foot,
Chief Sanitary Inspector.
The following extract.is taken from a Memorandum
issued by the National Health Insurance Commission,
dated 6th July, 1912.