The following item is reproduced from the Centre for Socialist Eduction Bulletin number two, available from 138, Fordwych Rds, London N.W.2. The Socialist Medical dessociation was founded in 1930 by a group of socialist doctors who saw clearly the need for a National Health Service, The Association recognised early the need for all health workers to be joined in the campaign for full health services to be freely available when needed. In 1934, the Labour Party Conference accepted a resolution from the Socialist Medical Association which laid the foundation of Labour Party policy in the field of health, culminating in the birth of the N.H.S. in 1946, The Association has always been affiliated to the Labour Party. In 1949, its constitution was altered to allow organisations connected with the health services to associate with the S.M.A. We particularly value our relationship with the trade unions and have a Trade Union Liaism Committee to further co-operation with them. The N.H.S. represented a great advance in the social services. But a socialist service is impossible without a socialist society. Since 1948, therefore, the S.M.A. has continued to campaign for health and a better N.H.S., especially for more preventive medicine, leading the struggle _-. against prescription charges, for the development of he@lth centres, d full occupational health service, better hospitels and a more democratic administration, The S.M.A, belives that the health of the people is the responsibility of the people themselves, The yearly programme includes regular weekend schools, national and regional conferences, lectures and meetings, and publicationsof pamphlets and leaflets on special medico=political subjects, The address is : Socialist Medical Association,
13, Prince of Wales Terrace,
London W. 8,
Telephone Western -7770 Membership is open to all health workers, and associate membership to all who support the aims of the S.M.A. Organisations - e.g. trade wiions, trade councils, co-operative guilds, Labour Parties, whether local, regional or national, are eligible for association, The next weekend school of the S,M.A. is being held at the High Stewart Hall of Nottingham University from Friday 2lst ~o Sunday 23rd April. Among the speakers will be ,Mr, D.C. Davies of the National Union of Mineworkers, Mrs. J. Thomas of the Associations's Social Workers! Group, Miss Nell Dunn (author of Up The Junction) and Mr. John Burrows, staff lecturer in sociology at the University of Londen, Early application and enquiries are advised,
N.B, Readers of The Week who want further information about the above and publications which the Socialist Medical Assodiation issues should write to S.M.A, The Association is willing to send speakers to organisations on a wide variety of subjects, and will answer specific enquiries on such topics as health in industry,