Almoners and the Health Service

Unfortunately the almoner was at some times and in some places betrayed into accepting a role which was entirely contrary to her principles. When the voluntary hospitals began to get into financial difficulties and patients' contributions were accepted, it was the almoner's job to see that no one paid more than they could afford. As the hard times became harder, some hospitals pressed the almoner to modify her tactics and extract as much as she felt she could. A faint odour of extortion followed the almoner into the National Health Service, but it was totally undeserved.