20 February 1948

The structure of the NHS is now rapidly taking shape. Progress is not too rapid given the shortness of time before the service is due to commence, but even so it represents great energy and very hard work by the various authorities and officers, and notably in the case of the hospital service, of the regional boards. The task which they have to accomplish in the time is truly formidable, but there has been no failure to grapple with it resolutely... Nonetheless, it seems clear that for some time after the official start of the new service, a great deal of reliance will have to be placed on existing arrangements... Negotiations for the transfer and allocation of institutions between regional hospital boards and local authorities, for example, present a number of difficult points which must be adjusted smoothly and equitably. On the whole, negotiations have proceeded harmoniously, but some difficulties have inevitably arisen, and local authorities have not been fully satisfied with decisions in all cases.