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

Computer Misuse Act (c.18) provided for the securement of material on computers
against unlawful access. See 1998.
Access to Health Records Act (c.23) established a right of access to health records by
the person to whom they relate.
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act (c.37) provided for the establishment of a
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and related matters.
"This Common Inheritance: Britain's Environmental Strategy", Cm.1200, published.
The Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (chairman, Sir Mark Richmond)
advised on the control and handling of food poisoning; recommended bringing together
information from agricultural and health services; and the establishment of an advisory
committee to provide independent advice. See 1998.
New contracts negotiated for general practitioners and dentists. See 1991.
The Audit Commission became responsible for the external audit of the NHS; and
issued a report on day surgery.
"Community Care in the Next Decade and Beyond. Policy Guidance", published by the
Department of Health. See 1992.
M Peckham (later, Sir Michael) appointed the first director of research and
development for the NHS, replacing the previous part-time post of chief scientist. See 1991.
"Health Services for Adults with Physical Disabilities", by FC Edwards and MD
Warren, published by the Royal College of Physicians of London, set out the scale, scope and
variation of disability services provided by the district health authorities in England and
Wales. See 1991.
The title of the journal "Community Medicine" was changed to "The Journal of Public
Health Medicine".
Digital networking introduced.
1991
1991 In January the Gulf War, to free Kuwait after an invasion from Iraq, started; ended in
February.
The census introduced new questions on ethnicity and long-standing illness. The
population was counted as 47 million in England, 2.8 million in Wales and 4.9 million in
Scotland. In England 19 per cent of the population were under the age of 15 years and 16 per
cent were over the age of 65 years.
The reforms of the NHS under the 1990 Act were introduced in April; and 57 NHS
Trusts and 306 GP fundholders began operating. The NHS Training Authority became the
NHS Training Directorate. See 1993 and 1994.
Criminal Justice Act (c.53) made further provision regarding the treatment of
offenders; and other matters relating to the administration of justice. See 1993.
Disability Living Allowance and Disability Working Allowance Act (c.21) introduced
two new allowances for disabled people; the first was non-contributary and the second was
income-related. See 1993.
Child Support Act (c.48) made provision for the assessment, collection and
enforcement of maintenance payable by certain parents with respect to their children who
were not in their care; and led to the setting up of the Child Support Agency in 1993. See
1995.
Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act (c.23) increased the
penalties for the sale of tobacco to persons under the age of 16 years; and made provisions
regarding the advertising of tobacco. See 1998.
Water Industry Act (c.56) consolidated previous legislation concerning the supply of