SIR, — In his article on his visit to Rampton, Dr. Johnson
quotes cases of patients who were originally certified as mentally defective after conviction for criminal offences, and who have been detained in the Institution for long periods.
This type of patient is not found in Rampton alone as all visitors of certified institutions for the mentally deficient will know, but they also know that in very many cases of that kind it is impossible to discharge or recommend for discharge, either because there is no home or any suitable accommodation available, or no family or relatives or indeed anyone able or willing to exercise or provide the care and attention which are considered necessary. This applies equally to many other patients classified as feeble minded,
and often the higher the grading of the patient, the greater the need of care and attention, both for the welfare of the patient and for the protection of the community. For this reason I do not doubt that the medical and administrative staffs of all such institu- tions would welcome the implementation of the recommendations of the Royal Commission to which Dr. Johnson refers, but subject to the provision of alternative and adequate accommodation for those in need of it.—Yours faithfully,
WALTER HOLMAN
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