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

1986 Cont 2 - 1987
1986 cont The Royal College of Physicians of London published "Physical Disability in
1985 and Beyond" and "The Young Disabled Adult" drawing attention to the inadequacy of
medical and other services for disabled people, and making recommendations for their
development. See 1990.
A Working Party (chairman JP Payne) of the Board of Science of the British Medical
Association reviewed the feasibility and possible methods of assessing the value of
"alternative therapies"; and concluded that while assessment would be feasible, for many
therapies a formal trial would be inappropriate. A fundamental problem was that many
alternative approaches to medical treatment do not base their rationale on theories which are
consistent with natural laws as presently understood.
The Department of Health and Social Security started a campaign to prevent the spread
of AIDS. See 1987.
Government scientists made the first official diagnosis of bovine spongiform
encephalopathy (BSE). The first case probably occurred in Kent in April 1985. See 1996.
During the year there was an outbreak of meningitis in Gloucestershire.
National Council for Vocational Training formed.
SANE: The Mental Health Charity founded.
General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) replaced the Certificate of
Secondary Education (1965) as from 1988.
In April an explosion and fire occurred at the nuclear reactor at Chernobyl in
Byelorussia. During the following weeks radioactive material was dispersed over large areas
of the Western hemisphere.
"What Price Community Medicine?", by Jane Lewis, discussed the philosophy,
practice and politics of public health from 1919, and suggested that the reorganisation of
1974 had diverted attention away from traditional public health concerns.
"The Development of the London Hospital System 1823 - 1982" by G. Rivett
published by the King's Fund.
"Medical Care and the General Practitioner 1750 - 1850" by I. Loudon published by
Clarendon Press.
1987 Channel Tunnel Act (c.53) provided for the construction and operation of a railway
tunnel under the English Channel.
Abolition of Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act (c.47) abolished domestic rates in
Scotland, and provided for the introduction of community charges. See 1988.
Landlord and Tenant Act (c.31) conferred on tenants of flats the right to the acquisition
of their landlord's reversion; and other rights. See 1988.
Housing (Scotland) Act (c.26) consolidated and amended previous acts. See 1988.
Parliamentary and Health Service Commissioner Act (c.39) extended the provisions of
the 1967 act. See 1993.
Consumer Protection Act (c.43) consolidated previous acts, and made further
provisions for liability caused by defective products. See 1992.
Access to Personal Files Act (c.37) and Access to Medical Reports Act (c.28) gave
individuals the right to see information recorded about themselves by certain authorities, and
medical reports prepared for employment and insurance purposes. See 1990.
Family Law Reform Act (c.42) reformed the law relating to the consequences of birth
outside marriage. See 1996.