ABSTRACT
This chapter attempts to illustrate some of the main differences between state and voluntary provision and explore some idea of the extent to which problems of role uncertainty and isolation from wider community are relevant in the voluntary homes, hospitals and schools. It describes some of the most obvious ways in which homes tend to differ from hospitals. In general, life in the homes appeared to be more comfortable and less regimented than in state hospitals and staff were almost in-variably motivated by a desire for service which transcended the simple question of caring for the patients or being paid. Enthusiasm and aptitude may well have compensated for any lack of professional qualifications. Patients in homes probably received more individual attention and had a closer personal relationship with the staff than was the case in hospitals.
