The East Anglian Film Archive, the first and largest Regional Film Archive in England, was established in 1976. Since 1984, EAFA has been owned and operated by the University of East Anglia, Norwich (UEA), to support research and work to preserve our moving image heritage. More than 250 hours are freely available online as examples of the wide range of film which attracts interest the world over.
This film is part of Free
No Less Precious
A sobering but fascinating insight into the work of Bromham Hospital, Bedford and the changing attitudes to the "mentally subnormal children" and care of the disabled.
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Overview
This 1963 film is a focus on the changes and progress in the care of the disabled and the many people, according to the commentary, "rescued from inadequate treatment of only a few years ago". It shows a young mother of a Downs Syndrome child discussing the possible care options for her daughter - "the local health authority have been notified of a mentally subnormal child in Bedford". The parents are then taken on a tour of Bromham and shown what could lie ahead for their child.
No Less Precious' is a valuable testimony to a changing outlook on mental health care - "with the emphasis no longer one of resignation - it is one of hope".
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