Narrative report: paraplegics, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, 21 November 1949

Transcript

Note on my visit to Stoke Mandeville Hospital
Near Aylesbury, 25.10.48.

I visited Stoke Madeville Hospital on 25th October, 1948 in company with the Overseas Rehabilitation Course. On arrival we were received by the Medical Superintendent, Dr. Elliot, and the doctor in charge of the Spinal Unit, Dr. Guttman, as well as the Matron, Miss James.

Dr. Guttman gave a most interesting medical lecture before lunch on the work of the Spinal Unit. He is obviously a skilled specialist, with a broad outlook, doing magnificent work, determined to get his patients back to a self-supporting life. On the medical rehabilitation side I think the Ministry of Pensions has the right to feel proud of this hospital. I wish I could say the same about the industrial resettlement side. From the brief impressions I gained through our afternoon's visit I felt very disappointed in our side of the work, and it seemed to me that there was a lack of planning, both generally and individually – a great amount of "welfare" but very little skilled resettlement. The following are points which I should like to look into further with R.O. or others concerned.