ABSTRACT
The importance of physical structure of any institution lies in the fact that not only does it help to create 'psychological' atmosphere–which is as important for the staff as it is for the patients–but that it determines the ease or difficulty with which everyday tasks are performed. This chapter focuses on the physical setting and fabric of the buildings and the prevailing physical conditions inside the hospitals visited. The old and overcrowded buildings were not the only ones with serious limitations; some of the most recently built villas failed to provide nursing staff with the facilities they needed. As a consequence staff had to choose between returning the children to their dormitories after meals, or clearing away, stacking the furniture and wiping the floor while other staff 'potted' and cleaned up the children and attempted to keep them away from the debris of the meal.
