SIR,—H. G. Monro-Davies' letter in the Spectator of March 18th
does not take into consideration the fact that most children are in hospital for a serious illness. If they were not seriously ill they would be treated at home by their own practitioner. Visits of parents leave wards and hospital routine in chaos. Nurses spend much time after the departure of parents calming crying children, when they should possibly be doing something connected with the patients' actual recovery from illnesses.
If a visit by relatives is considered necessary the hospitals do arrange it. It is a normal function of any hospital to get relatives to the bedside of any patient whose condition is likely to be improved by such a visit. Visits to children in hospital have no parallel in visits to grown-ups who can control their emotions and think for themselves.—I am, Sir, yours
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