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

1984 Cont 2 - 1985
1984 cont The Expert Panel of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy (COMA)
reported on diet and cardiovascular disease. See 1991.
The Select Committee of the House of Lords on Science and Technology in its report
on Occupational Health and Hygiene Services recommended the extension of occupational
health services and improvement in the coordination of research. See 1985.
In June, following the recommendations of the Griffiths report (1983), general
managers were introduced at each level of the NHS; the nucleus of the National Health
Service Management Board was created; and cost-improvement programmes were instituted.
Severe Disablement Allowances (SDA) replaced non-contributary invalidity pensions
for those people who because of long-term sickness or disablement had not paid sufficient
contributions to qualify for contributory invalidity pensions. See 1985.
The Manpower Services Commission published a Code of Good Practice on the
Employment of Disabled People. See 1995.
Donald Acheson (1981) succeeded Sir Henry Yellowlees as chief medical officer at
the Department of Health and Social Security.
Major outbreak of salmonella infection at the Stanley Royd Hospital, Yorks. See 1986.
Disaster at Bhopal, India, when methyl isocyanate gas leaked from a chemical factory
causing 3500 deaths and over 20,000 affected people.
"Family Practice" first published.
1985 Representation of the People Act (c.50) extended the franchise to British citizens
overseas; and for elections to the European Assembly. See 1998.
Local Government Act (c.51) abolished, as from 1 April 1986, the Greater London
Council (see 1963) and the metropolitan county councils transferring functions to the local
authorities in their areas and other bodies. See 1998.
Local Government (Access to Information) Act (c.43) provided for greater public
access to local authority meetings, reports and documents; and obliged local authorities to
publish defined information. See 1986.
Housing Act (c.68) major act, consolidated previous acts; and set new standards of
fitness for human habitation. See 1986.
Housing Associations Act (c.69) consolidated and amended the provisions of previous
housing acts relating to housing associations.
Landlord and Tenant Act (c.70) consolidated the law relating to landlords and tenants.
New Towns and Urban Development Corporations Act (c.5) facilitated the winding up
of new towns in England and Wales. See 1996.
Social Security Act (c.53) introduced changes in occupational pensions, statutory sick
pay and other benefits. See 1986.
Family Law (Scotland) Act (c.37) amended the law in regard to aliment; financial and
other consequences of divorce; and the property rights and legal capacity of married persons.
Water (Fluoridation) Act (c.63) provided legal powers for the introduction of
fluoridation of water supplies after public consultation following a decision by the local
health authorities and water authorities.
Hospital Complaints Procedure Act (c.42) obliged health authorities and boards to
establish complaints procedures for patients and to draw their attention to it. See 1994.
Enduring Powers of Attorney Act (c.29) enabled powers of attorney to be created
which would survive any subsequent mental incapacity of the person concerned.