ABSTRACT
Harry Guy Dain spent his entire medical career in Birmingham. His first appointments were as Resident Medical Officer at the children’s hospital and assistant House Surgeon at the general hospital before becoming a general practitioner. It was the introduction of the National Health Insurance Act in 1911 that developed Sir Harry’s interest in medical politics and enabled him to act as a key player in medico-political affairs for over 50 years. Sir Harry’s involvement with the British Medical Association (BMA) coincided with the creation of the National Health Service. As BMA chairman for much of the 1940s, he became one of the chief spokesmen for general practitioners. Sir Harry was skilled in clear thinking and persuasive speech, able to present facts clearly and identify the root of a problem. In 1936, the Dain Testimonial Fund was established to honour his work on behalf of Insurance Practitioners.
