All
This is a really interesting thread.
As far as I know the first National Insurance Act was in 1911. In return for their 4d per week contributions workers got sick pay (10 shillings a week for 6 months) and unemployment pay (7 shillings a week for up to 15 weeks).
I think that medical certificates were originally issued by medical practitioners in order for the members of the scheme to get access to their insured contributions. This had become common practice in the multitude of friendly societies which had sprung up during the 18th and 19th century; the biggest being the various Orders of Oddfellows and the Ancient Order of Foresters. I know these records have been looked at as a great source of information on the health of working people. The 1911 Act had brought about the concept of approved societies who would administer the scheme. The majority of these friendly societies became approved societies under the 1911 Act.
The 1945 Act brought benefits under one universal system and effectively put many of the friendly societies out of business.
Regards
Barry
Barry Wilkes
Senior Teaching Fellow in Occupational Health and Safety
Warwick Medical School (A-026)
University of Warwick
Gibbet Hill Campus
Coventry
CV4 7AL
Tel: 02476 150457
Fax: 0276 574893
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I always understood the Med 3 was issued to declare the recipient was elligible to receiive sickness benefit as they were unfit for work. It was an advisory note for the payment of benefit not a note restricting the recipient from returning to work once sufficiently recovered from thier ailment.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, December 05, 2010 11:33 AM
Subject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH] Med 3 and sick notes
I'm *guessing* that it stems from the National Insurance Act, 1948?
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUbevan.htm
states:
"After the 1945 General Election, Clement Attlee, the new Labour Prime Minister, appointed Bevan as Minister of Health. In 1946 Parliament passed the revolutionary National Insurance Act. It instituted a comprehensive state health service, effective from 5th July 1948. The Act provided for compulsory contributions for unemployment, sickness, maternity and widows' benefits and old age pensions from employers and employees, with the government funding the balance".
Date: Sat, 4 Dec 2010 15:37:43 +0000
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH] Med 3 and sick notes
To: [log in to unmask]
Hi Jane
Not sure if you have searched this site already but suggest www.rcgp.org.uk
There is archive material pertaining pre-NHS.
Good Luck
Joan
Date: Sat, 4 Dec 2010 14:35:05 +0000
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [OCC-HEALTH] Med 3 and sick notes
To: [log in to unmask]
Hi All
I am currently undertaking an MSc in Occ Health, Safety and Environmental Management and am on the third phase (dissertation). For all of Friday and today I have been slaving over the computer putting together my project proposal for Fit Notes and how they are working out in industry. I am trying to find a reference to why the original sick notes were started in the first place and what came before the beloved Med 3 - way back in the 1950's?
I am not asking about Fit Notes - know all about them now - I want to set this in a historical context. If any one can point me in a direction I would be grateful. Thanks in advance
Jane
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