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.

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".