Royal Commission on Health Services, 1961 to 1964
The Royal Commission on Health Services, also known as the Hall Commission,
was established by Order in Council on June 20, 1961, under Part I of the
Inquiries Act. Its purpose was to:
... inquire into and report upon the existing facilities and the future need
for
health services for the people of Canada and the resources to provide such
services, and to recommend such measures, consistent with the constitutional
division of legislative powers in Canada, as the Commissioners believe will
ensure that the best possible health care is available to all Canadians ...
Twelve issues were identified, including:
- Financing methods;
- Present and future requirements for health services personnel and their
training;
- Present and projected costs of health care services in Canada; and,
- Methods of improving health care services.
Seven commissioners were appointed, including the chair, Mr. Justice Emmett
M. Hall and Ms. Alice Girard, RN, Dr. David M. Baltzan, Professor O.J.
Firestone, Dr. C.L. Strachan, Dr. Arthur F. Van Wart, and Mr. M. Wallace
McCutcheon (who left in 1962 when he was appointed to the Senate). The
Commission held 67 days of public hearings in all provinces and in Yukon,
visited and studied health care systems in several other countries, received
submissions, heard individuals and delegates from 406 organizations, and
commissioned 26 research studies.
The Commission recommended a national health policy and a comprehensive
health care program for three main areas:
- Health services;
- Health personnel, facilities and research; and
- Financing and priorities.
Reports
Two final reports were issued, the Royal Commission on Health Services:
1964: Volume I, tabled in the House of Commons on June 19, 1964, and the
Royal Commission on Health Services: 1965: Volume II, issued on December
7, 1964.
The Hall Commission reports are only available in print form at some public
libraries, depository
libraries throughout Canada, and some university libraries.
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