Sia,—Your correspondent Mrs. Thomas says in her letter, 'Only two
hospitals in the whole country admit mothers with their children under five without discriminetion: I assume that one of thcm is the Children's Hospital, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells, and it seems appropriate to set down what in fact is done -there now after some ten years' experience in 'liberalising' visiting arrangements.
1. Mothers are admitted with their children, but there is no age limit of five years. In general it is
the younger children who are accompanied, Put the age of the child is immaterial. The needs of mother and child are the only governing factors.
2. If a mother wishes to be admitted with her child but has others at home requiring her attention, the whole family (within the limits of our accom- modation) can be admitted.
3. Unrestricted visiting is allowed. This means exactly what it says, and visitors may come as often as they like, and stay as long as they like throughout the twenty-four hours. It is this feature which limits the needs of 1 and 2 because most mothers prefer to sleep in their own homes even if they give up the entire day to the sick child.
4. All rules are made as elastic as possible, remem- bering that no two cases are quite the same. The only judge in these matters is the parent, though, if asked for, advice is given. Experience seems to show that the more facilities granted for visiting, the more co-operation we get.—Yours faithfully, N. M. JACOBY Redleaf, Sandhurst Road, Tunbridge Wells
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