ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the organizational structure of the two hospitals, then considers the extent to which they possessed clearly defined formal objectives, and how far these objectives accorded with the policy statements made by the Ministry of Health. The two hospitals are Blackbrick and Cloverfield. The chapter examines the ways in which the objectives are carried out in the treatment and training of patients, and discusses those aspects of hospital life which seem to impede the achievement of stated aims. Both hospitals are comparatively large institutions, holding approximately 1,000 patients. The hierarchical structure which characterizes institutions such as hospitals reinforces the social distance between various levels of staff, and by virtue of the uneven distribution of authority, has an in-built tendency towards the isolation, and even alienation, of the lowest ranks of staff. The Hospital Management Committee acts as an agent for the Regional Hospital Board and is responsible for the management and control of the hospital.
