calmk I have no idea what it was like in the 60's but when I was working in the NHS, the rules were clear. No NHS resource could be used to operate private facilities. NHS facilities were permitted to operate private services but could not use NHS staff hours etecetera to do so. Staff had to be paid separately for their work, utilities had to be paid for by money transferred back into NHS funds rent had to be paid on buildings and so on. One place I used to work was contracted to local cruise companies to provide remote medical advice. It was a nice little earner for the hospital but the had to be scrupulous about paying for any NHS resources used.