EDITORIAL

Welcome to our latest issue of The Loop, our IHSCM magazine by members for members .

As we recognise the 75th birthday of the NHS it seems appropriate to reflect on what our Institute has done over the last 75 years (and more – the IHSCM was celebrating its 46th birthday in 1948!).

75 years ago, our Institute was rather different than it is today. In 1948 management and leadership in the new NHS was dominated by white men. Virtually every Chair or Chief Executive was male (in fact I can’t find any evidence of a female CEO at all back then – please drop me a line if you know differently) and males were the overwhelming presence in the boardrooms of Trusts. Moreover, outside of the nursing profession, most consultant roles were filled by men.

With the second world war having drawn to a close 3 years’ previously, Britain was a nation mired in debt and economic poverty. Look at photos of the day taken in factories, high streets, housing estates, and pubs. Life was tough and making a living was a daily struggle for millions. Meanwhile, recently returned servicemen and women were having to adjust to civilian life and one can only imagine the difficulties that such an adjustment would entail. All of this makes it

Executive