Managing Diabetes, Managing Medicine: Chronic Disease and Clinical Bureaucracy in Post-War Britain by Martin D. Moore (review)

Abstract

CBMH / BCHM 36.2 2019 p. 498–500 doi: 10.3138/cbmh.337-022019 profession: in many cases, patients appeared to accept the doctors far more readily than the establishment did. Simpson describes the professional constraints experienced by these practitioners, who were often obliged to care for large numbers of patients living in socio-economically deprived areas, frequently with little support from the establishment. He also suggests that this may have led to political activism amongst some of the migrant doctors, as well as fostering the development of mutual support organizations. By bringing his themes together, Simpson raises the profile of the South Asian doctors in the history of the NHS, suggesting that they were saviours of general practice in many geographical areas, as well as innovators. He argues that Britain has never been self-sufficient in its medical workforce, and that international medical migration will always be necessary to staff the NHS. There is also a brief discussion of how the Indian government began to resent the reduction of its workforce during this period; this is perhaps a topic that would benefit from further research. In his preface, Simpson claims to offer a coherent, academic analysis of this previously neglected area of British general practice history, whilst also attempting to appeal to a non-academic audience. The latter aim is realized through the use of the narrative voices of his subjects to explain, and sometimes challenge, accepted historiography. As a result, this book is accessible not just to academic medical historians (who will appreciate the extensive bibliography and explanatory notes), but also to the general reader looking to explore this era of post-colonial medicine. Simpson’s book delivers a comprehensive account of his research, as well as pointing the way towards future studies in this field; as such, it is to be recommended.