The Incurables
SIR,—In his good-causf.appeal on August 11th Gilbert Harding stated that the hostel for incurables at Clapham Common did not receive help from the Government. Two days later a pathetic appeal reached me from the Royal Ejnspital for Incurables, Putney. This has room for 250 patients, and like the small hostel is wholly dependent upon charity. I am informed that the reason is, simply, that when the National Health Service was launched it was decided that such institutions were not hospitals within the meaning of the Act. Have we not here an anomaly calling for immediate removal ? There cannot be any section of the community in deeper need than the patients in retreats of this kind; and the case of them cannot be other than a field for voluntary service. Generous aid from the State, therefore, would seem to be an urgent necessity.—Faithfully yours,
la Oakwood Road, N.W.11.
S. K. RATCLIFFE.
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