ABSTRACT

Between the end of the First World War and the mid-1940s hospital provision became an increasingly politicized field of social policy. Historians have built their expectations of the labour movement's position on hospital provision from policy statements by the party and unions. It was heavily influenced by the Dawson report and the financial arrangements which flowed from it, with their emphasis on the MOH's co-ordinating role. By the end of the 1930s the party had become more committed to municipal control, inspired by the London County Council and the Socialist Medical Association. This chapter suggests that class and gender and the local socio-economic structures which shaped them were essential in the formation of the policy battle lines. Thus the aim of the labour movement in supporting the voluntary sector was to provide the best services for its members and working people generally and it was recognized that the voluntary hospitals were already providing this.