[Nell]

Phoenix

Good point. It was better than the early days in Bedlam where looking at the loonies was a tourist attraction. The patients would have care, routine, work and regular meals. I'm sure there were abuses - but there are now, despite all the policies and protocols and watchdogs etc in place. Mental health has always been the Cinderella of our health services, probably because its the hardest to understand.

As you know, our school was surrounded by asylums - Cane Hill, Netherne and Warlingham Park. Originally they were built in the countryside but suburbs encroached. I was always a bit nervous when we went to one of them to sing carols at Christmas!