A century of asthma deaths in young people.

BDICTIL 245 We hope that the building is an effective expression of our wish to provide for both group and individual activities; for openness of communication with due allowance for privacy; and for therapeutic, educational, and recreational activities (which are so closely interrelated). We have attempted to plan and equip the various rooms so that they can be used for a variety of functions-for example, the hall has gymnastic and recreational equipment and a demountable stage, as well as facilities for films and lectures. The living areas, general-purpose room (girls), kitchen, and occupational therapy room will offer scope for domestic/house-hold activities. The classrooms, quiet room, occupational therapy room, and general-purpose room (boys) have equipment for formal schoolroom work, technical and commercial studies, hobbies, craft work, and art. There is within the unit no central or focal point, no room or area which is unequivocally the one part of the building around which other activities revolve, or in which the main activities take place. This is not owing to a failure to recognize the need for such a focal point. It was considered that having regard to the provisional treatment policy which had been evolved, no room or area should be given such special emphasis or prominence as to imply or suggest that it should be the most important part of the building. Just as it was considered that most of the rooms should be multipurpose, allowing flexibility of use and function by both patients and staff, so it was considered that both patients and staff, in their working and living together, should be able to choose, depending on the needs at the particular time, which room(s) or area(s) to use for different purposes. There is no central observation point, no central nurses station. Clearly, the absence of such a room reduces the range of observation which can be undertaken by any one nurse, thus placing a considerable responsibility on staff who are required to be aware of patients' movements within the building. But it was decided to accept the risks inherent in this rather than oreate a more institutional type of situation in which dormitories or sitting-rooms would be under observation by staff. Experience may prove us mistaken, but it was our opinion that to have a focal point and central observation station for nursing staff might have value in terms of economy of staff, but would not be appropriate …