HENRY RICHARD JONES

The mixed economy of care that existed before 1948 is illustrated by the career of Henry Richard Jones, grandfatheron 2 November. In 1926, Henry was appointed secretary of the Neath and District Medical Aid Society, an organisation that provided GPs and other services to its members in South Wales. In the same year, he became a local representative on the hospital contributory scheme at the largest voluntary hospital in the region, the Swansea General Hospital and Eye Infirmary. From 1926, he served on the hospital’s Board of Management and various of its committees, dedicating more time to the development of health services. Henry lost his employment in 1948 when the NHS was founded, but took a position as secretary of the Rest Convalescent Home at Porthcawl on the South Wales coast. This was another important institution in the mixed economy of care in the region, and one that enabled thousands of men, women and children to enjoy a week or two by the seaside to recover from an operation or illness.