A INTRODUCTION
25
in groups of 2 or 3 for one week six times a year. All pupil physiotherapists, occupational
therapists and medical social workers attend for a half-day of lectures and demonstra–
tions, while each physiotherapy pupil is attached for one week and a few of the occupa–
tional therapists are attached for 2-3 months at a time.
SPINAL UNIT AT PHILIPSHILL HOSPITAL, NEAR GLASGOW, SCOTLAND
This new unit of 25 beds under the Directorship of Mr MacDougall, F.R.C.S., has been
opened very recently and I had the honour to perform the official opening. This unit,
which is part of the Orthopaedic Department of Glasgow University, is well equipped
and has a particularly good occupational therapy and art therapy department, which is
under the administration of the Department of Education. This unit works in close
co-operation with the Department of Neurology of Glasgow University.
SPINAL UNIT ROOKWOOD HOSPITAL, CARDIFF, WALES
This unit of 35 beds, which was started by me in 1952 with Dr R.Thomas in charge,
admitted, during the time when I was its consultant, traumatic paraplegics and tetra-
plegics immediately after injury. When Dr Thomas left after my retirement from the
Health Service it came under the charge of Dr Lewis as the unit was taken over by the
Orthopaedic Department of the Prince of Wales Hospital, where the acute cases are first
admitted. However, this fragmentation of treatment will be changed under new arrange–
ments and the unit under Dr Lewis has been increased to admit female paraplegics and
tetraplegics.
NEED FOR INCREASED FACILITIES
In view of the greatly increased life-expectancy of both paraplegics and tetraplegics and
the steadily increasing number of these patients from year to year, there is a great need
for enlarging some of the existing Spinal Centres in the United Kingdom and creating
new units in certain parts of the country. Representations to the Department of Health
have been made in this connection by the leaders of the existing Centres. Although the
need was recognized by the authorities concerned, no concrete measures have been
taken so far to remedy the unsatisfactory situation. The same applies to the setting up of
hostels, and that at Stoke Mandeville is still the only one in existence. It may be noted
that the recently published Tunbridge Report on Rehabilitation, recognizing the need
for increasing the facilities for the specialized treatment and rehabilitation of spinal
paraplegics and tetraplegics, has recommended the setting up of two more Spinal Injuries
Centres for England and Wales.
