A Chronology of State Medicine, Public Health, Welfare and Related ...

1982 Cont - 1983
1982 cont The Health Advisory Service published "The Rising Tide: Developing Services
for Mental Illness in Old Age" giving detailed guidelines to the planning and development of
comprehensive district services, including the training and functions of staff and the
monitoring of the service. See 1986 and 1996.
The Report of an Enquiry into the Social Science Research Council, carried out by
Lord Rothschild, concluded that the Council should continue and that its budget should not
be reduced in real terms below its 1982-3 level for at least three years. The name of the
Council was changed in 1984 to the Economic and Social Research Council, and
administrative changes were introduced.
The United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (see
1979) was set up to maintain standards of training and professional conduct of nurses,
midwives and health visitors. See 1986.
The Government agreed to set up a Pay Review Body for nurses pay, after a prolonged
dispute. This was established in 1983.
The Central Blood Laboratories Authority established.
The Department of Health and Social Security issued a Health Notice giving guidance
to health authorities on the provision of occupational health services for NHS staff. The
Department had accepted the principle for such a service in 1971.
Surveillance of the incidence of cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome
(AIDS) started at the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre. See 1986.
Concern was expressed over outbreaks of food poisoning in hospitals after 67
outbreaks had been reported. See 1984.
1983 Representation of the People Act (c.2) consolidated and amended previous acts. See
1985.
Medical Act (c.54) consolidated and amended the acts 1956-1978. See 1995.
Dentists Act (c.38) amended the 1957 act and revised the membership of the General
Dental Council. See 1984.
Mental Health Act (c.20) consolidated and amended the 1959 and 1982 acts;
introduced "approved social workers" to be appointed by local social services departments as
having appropriate competence to deal with persons suffering from mental disorders; altered
the powers of the mental health review tribunals; established the Mental Health Act
Commission; required the Secretary of State to prepare a code of practice on the admission
and treatment of patients; and appointed commissioners to defend individual rights of
patients. See 1995.
Mental Health (Amendment) (Scotland) Act (c.39) made equivalent changes in
Scotland and strengthened the powers of the Mental Welfare Commission. See 1984.
Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudications Act (c.41) introduced
amendments relating to the financing of social services; established the Central Council for
Education and Training in Social Work; made changes in the remuneration of general
medical and dental practitioners; and brought together various tribunals, previously
administered by the Department of Health and Social Security and the Department of
Employment, under the direct control of a president appointed by the Lord Chancellor. See
1986 and 1999.
Water Act (c.23) amended the constitution and management arrangements of water
authorities; and abolished the National Water Council and the Water Space Amenity
Commission set up by the 1973 Act. See 1989.