SIR,—Mr. Vaizey writes with real compassion and makes a plea
for better houses, schools; and mental- deficiency hospitals.
I can only claim to have real knowledge of one such hospital, but it may hearten Mr. Vaizey to know of the enormous improvements that have taken place over the last few years. This hospital has nearly 2,000 patients of all grades; they are taught with great patience, often to read and write, always to do handicraft, to sing, to play games, to work on the' farm and in the gardens. Whenever possible the higher grades are given daily work outside the hospital. The houses are all cen- trally heated in winter, there are large playrooms and quiet TV rooms, a cinema show once a week, good bathrooms with plenty of hot water, clean and up-to-date kitchens.
The hospital is open to constant Inspection, and relations are encouraged to visit frequently. Mental deficiency is a stark tragedy, but not all mental-deficiency hospitals are places of despair.-- Yours faithfully,
EILEEN TAYLOR
Meadow Cottage, Lye Hole, Wrington, Somerset
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