One hundred years of health-related social work.

A history of hospital almonry and the wider field of medical social work. Narration over photographs is varied with dramatic reconstruction showing typical situations in which almoners were and are involved and emphasising the ways in which they liaise with other agencies and patients' families. Hospital almoners at the begining of the century were chiefly concerned with mother and baby care. They became indispensable at the end of the First World War when hospitals were filled with servicemen needing help beyond their immediate medical requirements. During World War II they helped organize evacuations and the almoner's profession became a reserved occupation. The medical social worker's role is often one of negotiation, entering emotionally charged situations in order to organize the after-care and management needed by bereaved, elderly or sick people. Almoners and other social workers create the interface between hospital and community, providing the basis for good community care.