THE KENSINGTON PHYSICAL TREATMENT CENTRE. [To THE EDITOR 07 THE

SPECTATOR."J SIR,—In the issue of the Spectator of June 18th, 1921, you published a communicated article on "Centres for Medical Treatment." That you should have added a note of approval of the plea made in the article was very gratifying to those of us who were already at that date attempting to give practical effect to the scheme suggested and encourages me to write to you of the results of efforts made in Kensington towards its attainment. In the first place, it is most fortunate that the Executive Committee of the Kensington Division B.R.C.S. was In sympathy with the idea of establishing such a treatment centre in the borough, and that there was a divisional head- quarter; staff already fully conversant with the successful running of a clinic for the treatment of disabled ex-Service men. The Committee rightly considered that the successful development of such a scheme depended mainly on careful attention to two points:-

1. Finance.

2. The support of the medical profession.

1. Finance.---It is hoped that the treatment centre will eventually become self-supporting, but it is obvious that in the early stages outside help must be necessary. This help the Committee has (with the consent of the County of London Branch of the B.R.C.S.) agreed to provide out of divisional funds.

2. The Support of the Medical Profession.—The Committee were fortunate in securing the sympathy and practical help of the Mayor, Dr. A. J. Rice Oxley, C.B.E., J.P., who summoned a meeting of some representative local practitioners to discuss the question. The rough outlines of the scheme were approved, and a conjoint meeting of the Kensington Division B.R.C.S. and medical practitioners drew up a detailed scheme for a physical treatment centre at which could be treated those people who are unable to afford the fees ordinarily charged locally for such treatment. This centre was opened at the Divisional Headquarters, 14 Prince of Wales Terrace, Ken- sington, W. 8, on February 3rd, under the medical direction of Dr. James Mennell, and the number of patients already treated is sufficient proof that the centre meets a long felt want. The following are the rules which have been adopted :— "1. The clinic will be open daily from 2-9 p.m. Women and children from 2-5.30 p.m., men from 6-9 p.m.

2. The patients must bring a letter of recommendation from their own doctor, and will be seen by the medical specialist before any treatment is given, except in urgent cases.

3. A specialist in physico-therapeutics will attend at the clinic twice a week. Men, Mondays, at 6.30 p.m.; women and children, Fridays, at 5 p.m.

4. Administration will be under the Kensington Division B.R.C.S., which will bear any financial responsibilities, and will work in conjunction with an advisory committee of medical men.

5. An almoner or secretary will be in attendance.

6. A fully qualified sister-in-charge, with a fully trained staff of masseuses, will carry out the treatments ordered.

7. There will be a maximum fee of 5s. for each treatment, and 5s. for the medical expert's consultation fee. Individual charges will be decided by an almoner and referred to a committee for revision if necessary.

8. Patients living in Kensington will have prior claim on the clinic, but provided there are vacancies other applicants living outside the area will be accepted if there is not a clinic In their own district."

It is hoped that this physical treatment centre will receive the support of the medical profession and the public, and that its success may stimulate the development of other schemes for

increasing the opportunities for medical diagnosis and treat- ment.—I am, Sir, &c.,

HAROLD H. SANOUIHRTTI, M.B., B.Cle (Oxon) (Hon. Bec.Provisional Medical Advisory Committee). 19 Campden House Road, Kensington, W. 8.

[We are delighted to put on record that the Kensington Physical Treatment Centre has established so excellent a scheme as that set forth above. It exactly corresponds with the view we have always taken as to the peace-time use of the Red Cross • Branches. "In pace sit in hello "—" In peace as in war " must be the motto of the joint society. The Red Cross mu-t combat the ills of peace as those of war.—ED. Spectator.]