John Bury was an enthusiastic immigrant. In his letter of acceptance for a position at the Saskatoon Community Clinic he wrote “It is always stimulating to be in at the beginning of a social revolution, particularly in a country with a future.”
John’s memoir begins with vivid descriptions of his early life in England. He and his family arrived in Saskatoon SK in June of 1963. It was a turning point for him and the Clinic. Many people had become members but ideas about the future direction of health care in the province were divided. The doctor’s strike of 1962 was an attempt to force Saskatchewan to drop the adoption of universal medical insurance.
Dr. Bury passionately believed in health care as a right not a privilege. He was a highly qualified family physician with a sub specialty in obstetrics. He recounts many fascinating stories from the frontlines. Over his career in Saskatchewan he delivered 800 babies, worked for reproductive rights, and actively promoted Pharmacare.
The challenges, joys and tribulations of this pivotal time in the creation of Medicare, that we now know and value all over Canada, are recorded in this insightful memoir of Dr. John Bury, one of its visionary pioneers.