Abstract
Some form of quite small Clinical Unit with its own wards has evolved in the larger Scottish hospitals as the best means of discharging the primary task of the hospital, namely caring for patients. Illness is a peculiarly individual matter demanding care by individual doctors and nurses and they can operate most effectively in this type of organisation, which also has advantages for teaching. Institutional medicine, however, is also concerned with much that is not directly concerned with treating patients; larger groupings, such as the Division, are necessary to cope with its requirements and in so doing should enhance the effectiveness of Clinical Units and relieve them of some administrative work.
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