Heatherwood Hospital Mid to Late 1950's

Bracknell Labour Protest on Health Plans

Bracknell Labour Party is sending a resolution to the North West Regional Hospital Board protesting at the proposed health service arrangement, and asking the board to reconsider its decision.
At a meeting held in the Admiral Cunningham on Monday, the resolution was drawn up and passed unanimously with acclamation. The resolution says:
"This meeting of the Bracknell Labour Party is now in full possession of all the facts concerning the changed plans for the Health Services in Bracknell. "It protests most strongly that services originally intended to be available in Bracknell itself are now to be provided at Heatherwood Hospital, which at some points is more than three miles distant, and for which the bus services are inadequate.
"Furthermore, in 1959 (the date mentioned for some of the available services at Heatherwood) the Bracknell population will be about 19,000 and the further point arises that until the said date the people of Bracknell will be without the services for which they have now waited a considerable time, unless they take the long journeys from Bracknell to Reading or Windsor.
"This meeting asks the N.W. Regional Board to reconsider its plans as now outlined. It must be pointed out in the strongest possible terms that if New Towns are to be effective units under the 1946 Act, social services must be available."
The meeting also agreed to ask Bracknell Parish Council to call a Town Meeting to discuss the health services. So strong, in fact. did the meeting feel about it. that the willingness to donate money towards the cost of publicity was expressed.
Extract Wokingham & Bracknell Times 20/01/1956

 

New Town or a 'glorified village'?

As reported in our last issue, Bracknell Community Association, at its annual meeting last week, decided to send a protest to the appropriate Ministry about health services for Bracknell New Town.
The debate on the subject was lively. Said Mrs. Dennis: "Bracknell is supposed to be a New Town, but it seems to be just a glorified village."
The meeting was unanimous in its view that the medical services were inadequate. the All were agreed that association should press to have them improved.
Too long
All were agreed that 1959 was too long to wait for the new wing of Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot.
But there was disagreement on just what the association should ask for. Many wanted to press for a complete hospital in Bracknell, but, in the words of Miss E.M.Wood, that would be "asking for the moon."
This prompted another member to say: "Let us demand the maximum. You talk of the expense involved, but can we afford not to have a hospital?" Earlier in the meeting Dr.J.Lask had given a detailed explanation of the workings of the Health Service.
Finally the meeting agreed that the views of members should be communicated to the appropriate Minister.
Extract Wokingham & Bracknell Times 03/02/1956

 

Heatherwood Bill about £75,000

Developments at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, which is intended to serve the Bracknell area, are likely to cost about £75,000, it was said in the House of Commons recently.
This was stated by the Minister of Health, Mr. R.H.Turton, who added that the present proposals were to expand the maternity unit at Wokingham and to provide facilities for other in-patients and out-patients at Heatherwood Hospital. Cost of expanding the maternity unit at Wokingham was at present not known. The Minister was replying to questions put by the Hon. Peter Remnant (Cons., Wokingham) about the proposed plans for medical facilities in the area, which would serve Bracknell, including the New Town.
At Once?
Mr.Remnant also questioned the planned rate of development. "Is it not quite essential that these services should be available before 1959 and, therefore, should start at once or as soon as plans are approved?" The member wanted, too, assurance that the hospital planned for Farley Hall had not been abandoned.
Replied Mr.Turton: "The Heatherwood Hospital unit will start in the 1957-58 programme. With reference to the last part of the question, that proposal has not been abandoned. but it is not in any of the immediate(?missing words from end of story)
Extract Wokingham & Bracknell Times 17/02/1956

 

Industrial Group Urges Speed

New town medical facilities were discussed at last week's meeting of the Bracknell Industrial Group and it was agreed that in parallel with the pressure for early provision of the proposed extension at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, prompt attention should be given to maternity facilities within the New Town area, which could be provided with little difficulty.
The group will be represented at a meeting being called to consider the improvement of bus services within Bracknell New Town.
It was also agreed that earnest consideration should be given to the forming of a separate body to finance and manage the Industrial Playing Fields, so as to leave the group free to concentrate on its New Town development duties, People interested in New Town matters will be welcomed for an exchange of ideas at the group's annual meeting to be held in March.
Extract Wokingham & Bracknell Times 24/02/1956

 

Councils Press for a Medical Centre

'It is essential'
Easthampstead Rural Council and Bracknell Parish Council, at meetings last week, each voted unanimously for a medical treatment centre in Bracknell.
On Thursday, at the E.R.D.C. meeting, Coun. R.T.Tolworthy's motion "That, as this council is of the opinion that a medical treatment centre is essential in Bracknell, the authorities concerned be pressed very strongly to make such provision at an early date," was passed.
The following day the same motion was put to the Parish Council and was just as enthusiastically received. Warfield Parish Council too, supports the centre.
Coun. Tolworthy had termed the proposed extension of Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, "a £75,000 scheme to renovate a block that will never be much use".
Yet for that same money, he said, there could be in Bracknell a medical centre which included maternity facilities. The rural district had a population of about 30,000, increasing 1,200 a year and Bracknell was to be its centre.
At the Parish Council meeting, Wing Commander Fisher said: "It is fantastic that the Government envisages a population of 40,000 but does not allow for a medical centre".
Extract Wokingham & Bracknell Times 02/03/1956

 

Laundrywoman

Required for small modern laundry. Wages 121s. 6d. per 5-day week.
Apply Matron, Heatherwood Orthopaedic Hospital, Ascot.
Extract Wokingham Times 18/05/1956

 

Well educated girls

From 17 years of age accepted as Student Nurses.
Salary £225/£246 less £111 residential charges.
Apply for illustrated brochure and date of next training school to Matron, Heatherwood Orthopaedic Hospital, Ascot, Berks.
Extract South Yorkshire Times 19/05/1956
The advert was carried a number of times throughout the year 05/06/1956-The Advertiser Employment Exchange,
29/06/1956-Runcorn Guardian,
14/07/1956-Somerset County Herald,
28/07/1956-Observer Leader & Free Press.

 

Medical Services

Easthampstead R.D.C. Clerk Mr. D.H.M.Saunders yesterday (Thursday) evening reported to the council on a meeting which he. M.P. the Hon. Peter Remnant and Bracknell Community Association Mr. K.M.Reinold had with a committee chairman and the secretary of the North-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board concerning medical services in Bracknell.
The statement showed that at the talks the two Board men reiterated proposals already made for an additional 15 bed maternity unit at Wokingham Hospital and extensions at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, to provide for in-patients and out- patients.
Both items were being budgeted for in the next three year period.
Extract South Yorkshire Times 01/06/1956

 

No for Hospital Bracknell

Mr R. Maurice Hackett, chairman of the Planning and General Purposes Committee of the North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board, held out very little hope for a Bracknell hospital when he met a small deputation recently.
The deputation comprised the Hon. Peter Remnant, M.P. for Wokingham constituency; Mr. K.M.Reinold, secretary of the Bracknell Community Association, and Mr. D.H.M.Saunders, Clerk to Easthampstead R.D.C. Also present was Board Secretary Mr. A.J.Bennett.
Mr. Hackett said that the Minister had made it quite clear that he was not prepared to give any priority to Bracknell. The possibility of any proposals being put in hand was not in the foreseeable future.
He added that the Farley Hall site was not expected to be ready for development until 1964.
The overall picture had been considered by the Board in the light of there being general hospitals in Reading and Windsor. The Board had considered that as Heatherwood was only 2-3 miles from Bracknell it was preferable "from every point of view" to extend that hospital, making use of the equipment. and professional medical advice already there.
About maternity needs, Mr.Hackett said that the Board, in conjunction with the Oxford Board, proposed to install an additional 15-bed unit at Wokingham Hospital, where again. proper medical facilities and professional services were already available.
Ante Natal care facilities would, it was hoped, be provided in Bracknell itself. This matter was to be discussed with Berks County Council. Mr.Hackett pointed out that the greatest difficulty was the absence of money. The 15-bed unit at Wokingham Hospital and the remainder of the extension at Heatherwood were budgeted to £80,000.
A general hospital with 100 beds would cost at least half a million pounds.
Asked about the possibility of a small maternity unit in Bracknell, he said that from experience small units were unsatisfactory. It was better, in the interests of everyone, that the present unit at Wokingham should be extended where emergencies could be coped with and greater consultant coverage possible.
He understood that the Wokingham extension might be ready before that at Heatherwood. Planning was well advanced.
At the end of the meeting Mr.Hackett said that if it was wanted, one or more members of his Board would be prepared to attend a public meeting to explain the reasons for and against the various projects.
Extract Wokingham Times 08/06/1956

 

East Berkshire Scouts Annual Meeting

Making a brief report. Mr.A.J.Newton regretfully told of the closing down of the Heatherwood Hospital (Ascot) Group. which he started 29 years ago. He cited Mrs.J.Miles, of the 2nd Sandhurst Group, who had kept the hospital's Cub pack going till the end. "Any boy. no matter how handicapped he is, can be a Scout," said Mr. Newton. "So if you know of any such boys. please let me know."
Extract Wokingham Times 08/06/1956

Comment:- This article highlights the reduction in long stay child TB. patients at Heatherwood.
Twenty Nine years is a fantastic achievement and I'm sure the stay for child patients, was made that more bearable by the activities the Scout movement brought to the hospital.

 

Labour Says:Nothing New in Report

Bracknell Labour Party made the following statement this week:
"The Party wishes to place on record its disappointment and dissatisfaction with the statement on health services for Bracknell, made to Easthampstead R.D.C. "This re-statement of the position as it existed last year merely confirms that Bracknell is not to receive the service which the needs of its rapidly expanding population demand.
"This situation was made clear in a letter received by the Labour Party early this year, in which the Hospital Board said that it had made its proposals and nothing since heard had given it any reason to reconsider them.
"Apparently the semi-official. approach just made has been of no avail, despite the high hopes held out for it, and so it is now surely time to give the Board the best of all reasons to change its mind. It must be made clear abundantly clear that the people of the district will not be satisfied with anything less than proper, easily accessible hospitalisation.
'Dreary record'
"This does not concern only Bracknell but rather the whole district of which Bracknell is the natural centre both geographically and by virtue of existing transport services.
"In face of the objections as to the cost of a new hospital, it ought not to be forgotten that quite apart from taxation a very large sum of money is collected from the district each year in National Insurance contributions. Also, it is difficult to see what financial advantages there will be in the sighting of a hospital at Heatherwood when it is admitted that both new in-patient and new out-patient departments will have to be built there.
"The dreary record of delay by the Board must not be allowed to continue. The Bracknell Parish Council has a resolution before it, passed by the annual assembly on March 21, calling for a meeting of all interested bodies to consider the question and to formulate satisfactory alternative proposals.
"Let them act at once and at least get representatives of the Board here to meet the people of Bracknell it would only be a very short step but it would be the first in the right direction."
Extract Wokingham Times 15/06/1956

 

Domestic Staff

Required for pleasant country hospital within easy reach of London and Windsor.
Immediate vacancies for Domestic Assistants (£5 15s 6d), Matron's Maid (£5 19s 6d), Ward Orderlies (£6 1s 6d).
Accommodation provided if required at a charge of 458 3d per week.
Applications, giving full personal details, to: Matron, Heatherwood Orthopaedic Hospital Ascot, Berks
Extract Express & Echo 10/07/1956

 

Almoner Unqualified

Required for duty at Heatherwood Orthopaedic Hospital. Ascot, and Pinewood Hospital, Wokingham.
Salary scale £370 x £15-£550 pa.; ability to type essential.
Applications stating age and experience, with names of two referees to Secretary, Heatherwood Orthopaedic Hospital, Ascot.
Extract Classified Advertisements 28/09/1956

 

Poor Summer Cuts Ascot Show Entries

For children
Section 4 Best specimen of handwriting by any child in hospital:
1, L. Keen;
2. J. Williams;
3. S. Morgan;
4. B. Copeutt.
All four are in Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot.
Extract Wokingham Times 12/10/1956

 

Female Ward Orderlies

Required for night duty. Resident or non-resident. Wages £7 3s. 6d. 1 48-hour week.
Apply Secretary, Heatherwood Orthopaedic Hospital, Ascot.
Extract Wokingham Times 09/11/1956

 

W.V.S. Links the Patients With Outside World

A present of 31 vases and 15 cushions, with material for covers, was made by the W.V.S. to the Heatherwood Orthopaedic Hospital, Ascot, on Tuesday.
A small ceremony marked the presentation when Mrs.D.Mabey, Ascot representative, handed over the presents to Miss D.Howes, the matron. Said Miss Howes: "I am very grateful to the W.V.S., not only for the gifts that they bring. but for all they do for this hospital."
Every week three members of the W.V.S. visit the wards with trolly shops. Those responsible for this service are Mrs.Mabey. Mrs.Moss. Mrs.Mounsey and Mrs.Godwin. The trolly shops serve toilet requisites, stationery, cigarettes. chocolates and sweets.
From profits
The gifts for the hospital were bought out of the profits made by trolly shops. The gifts cost £25.
During the summer, members of the W.V.S. run a canteen at the hospital. It is discontinued during the winter because of accommodation difficulties. Under a new building programme to be carried out at the hospital, there is provision for a permanent indoor canteen.
At Christmas members of the W.V.S. help patients buy presents of their choice. With the co-operation of local shop keepers, they take samples to the hospital, and these are then selected by the patients.
In this way they are able to do their Christmas shopping from their hospital beds just as well as anybody who can go to the shops.
"The W.V.S. brings the shops to the patients," said Mrs. Hutchinson, centre organiser, to a Times man this week.
"They, in fact, are a link between the world outside and the small world of the patients," she added.
Extract Wokingham Times 07/12/1956

 

Tackling Task of New Town Hospital Needs

North-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board technical officers are working on the scheme to provide hospital facilities for Bracknell New Town.
This is announced in the 44 page seventh annual report of Windsor Group Hospital Management Committee.
The scheme will provide facilities, for other than obstetrical cases, at Heatherwood Orthopaedic Hospital, Ascot, and will include the provision of a casualty department and out-patient facilities.
Improvements will also be made in the operating theatre and other services. It is hoped to implement the scheme in 1957-58.
An experiment
The report also refers to the opening last January of a special 16-bed unit for chronic bronchitis cases at Pinewood Hospital.
"This is in the nature of an experiment," states the report, "and the committee feels certain that the experience gained in the treatment and nursing of these cases may be a big step. forward in the relief of this distressing ailment."
The committee has given a TV set, bench seats and wall clocks-valued at £200-to Pinewood Hospital. This came from a L.C.C. grant.
Local hospital officers are listed in the report. They are: Heatherwood matron Miss D.Howes and secretary Mr.W.Squires:
Pinewood matron Miss H.Aylmer and secretary Mr.A.James;
Binfield Park Mental Deficiency Institution matron superintendent Mrs.E.Thomas.
Extract Wokingham Times 14/12/1956

 

February

Minister of Health Mr.R.H.Turton announces in the House of Commons that development work at Ascot's Heatherwood Orthopaedic Hospital (to serve Bracknell area) will cost about. £75,000.
Extract Wokingham Times 08/01/1957

 

Hospital Board Gives O.K.

The North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board at its last meeting approved outlined proposals for in-patient and out patient facilities at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot.
This is the £103,000 scheme prepared to meet the needs of Bracknell New Town.
Since the public meeting in Bracknell in July last year, further discussions have been held to determine the extent and scope of the scheme and to discover its implications in relation to the other services at the hospital.
The sketch scheme, which is about to be submitted to the Ministry of Health for approval, includes a new out-patient and casualty and X-ray department, a new theatre and improvements to the existing one, extensions to the physiotherapy department, the upgrading of the four 12-bed wards to be used for general medical and surgical cases, and a new medical officers' hostel.
Extract Wokingham Times 08/02/1957

 

Well Educated Girls

From 17 years of age accepted as Student Nurses. Salary £240/260 less £116 residential charges.
Apply for illustrated brochure and date of next training school to Matron. Heatherwood Orthopaedic Hospital. Ascot, Berks,
Extract Bury Free Press 22/02/1957

 

Matron's Secretary

Required. part-time, for about 30 hours weekly. Shorthand/Typing and general clerical duties. Previous hospital experience advantageous.
Applications in writing with names of two referees to Secretary, Heatherwood Orthopaedic Hospital, Ascot.
Extract Wokingham Times 05/04/1957

 

Hospital Porter

Required for general duties. Able-bodied man under 40 preferred. Wages £7 18s. per 48-hour week.
Apply Secretary, Heatherwood Orthopaedic Hospital, Ascot.
Extract Wokingham Times 03/05/1957

 

Locum Physiotherapist

Required for approximately four weeks. Part time considered. Modern department with staff of four.
Apply with names of two referees to Secretary, Heatherwood Orthopaedic Hospital, Ascot.
Extract Wokingham Times 03/05/1957

 

Hospital Porter

Required for general duties. Able-bodied man under 50 years of age preferred. Wages £7 18s. per 48-hour week.
Apply Secretary, Heatherwood Orthopaedic Hospital, Ascot.
Extract Wokingham Times 24/05/1957

 

Ministry Gives O.K.to Lights in Area R.D.C.

Annual meeting of Bracknell Parish Council

Comment:- Heading of press article used, but we have highlighted here an Extract from above the annual report.

Coun. Tolworthy also reported that Ascot Rotary Club was considering the formation of a League of friends for Heatherwood Hospital, and would be approaching people and organisations in Bracknell to ask for their help.
Under the new hospital scheme for the district, Heatherwood hospital will serve Bracknell.
Coun. Bowyer pointed out that the Friends did great work in hospitals, helping to provide them with the things that the hospital boards could not supply, and visiting patients who had no one else to visit them.
Extract Wokingham Times 31/05/1957

 

Part-Time Clerk/Shorthand Typist

Required as Almoner's Clerk. 19 hours weekly.
Experience in a similar post advantageous. Commencing salary according to age up to £175. p.a. rising annually to £257 p.a.
Applications giving full details and names of two referees to Secretary, Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot.
Extract Wokingham Times 21/06/1957

 

Heatherwood Orthopaedic Hospital Ascot

Well-educated girls from 17 years of age accepted as Student Nurses. Salary £240/260 p.a. less £116 residential charges.
Apply for illustrated brochure and date of next training school to the Matron.
Extract Newbury Journal 04/07/1957

 

Dining Room Maid

Required. Wages £6 2s. 3d. per week. Pleasant residential quarters if required.
Apply Secretary, Heatherwood Orthopaedic Hospital, Ascot.
Extract Wokingham Times 12/07/1957

 

Babies - Last Day

Entries in the Times Bonny Baby Contest will close tomorrow, after which no further photographs should be submitted.
The competition, which has attracted widespread interest in Bracknell, has resulted in well over 100 entries to date. Next Monday three judges will set about their task of selecting the best 15 to go forward to the finals, which will be judged by a well- known stage and screen personality.
The three judges who have kindly consented to carry out the preliminary selection are:
Miss L.Cryer, Matron, Wokingham Hospital;
Mrs.M.Davies, Matron/Supt., Dr. Barnardo's Home, Wokingham;
and Sister Margaret Cottingham, Ward Sister at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot.
The names of the 15 semi-finalists will appear in our next edition and parents will be notified by letter of the arrangements for the final judging.
Extract Wokingham Times 19/07/1957

 

Searching for the Bonniest Baby

For over two and a half hours on Monday evening, in the Times office, a panel of three experts on babies critically examined over 200 photographs of the entrants in the Bracknell's Bonniest Baby competition which is being organised by the Times for the Bracknell Carnival.
Their task was to select the best 15 to go forward to the finals which will be held on August Monday at Bracknell, and which will be judged by a well-known personality. But what a task! So good was the quality of young Bracknell that the judges had to fix an extremely high standard in which weight, brightness, intelligent expression, alertness, physique, natural expression and looks were all taken into account.
Enjoyed Work
The three judges were all specialists in the field of child welfare Miss L.Cryer, Matron of Wokingham Hospital;
Mrs.M.Davies, Matron/Superintendent, Dr. Barnardo's Home, Wokingham
and Sister Margaret Cottingham, ward sister at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot.
They knew exactly what they were looking for, but the difficulty was that the majority of the children had just that quality. But they obviously thoroughly enjoyed their task, which was accomplished with scrupulously fair judgement, and the "Times" indebted to them for it.
Their summing up was: "A very excellent bunch of children splendid specimens" a sincere tribute to all the parents who have participated in the contest.
Selected children
The following are the children I who have been selected to appear in the final heat to be held on the Bracknell Cricket Club's ground on August Monday afternoon (full particulars will be sent to the parents by letter). The winning child will receive, a cash prize of £25 and the second choice, a cash prize of £10.
Extract Wokingham Times 26/07/1957

 

Ascot Farewell

A farewell party was held on Tuesday afternoon for Mrs.Margaret Stevenson, who for 35 years was deputy headmistress and teacher in charge of the infants' department of the Heatherwood Hospital Special School in Ascot.
The Rev. G.R.M.Webster, chairman of the school managers, presented Mrs.Stevenson with a travelling clock as a parting gift from the members of the staff and her friends.
Extract Wokingham Times 26/07/1957

 

Hospital Needed at Bracknell

Rural District Council's View
In view of the proposal to extend the Bracknell New Town area, Easthampstead Rural District Council decided at their meeting last week to press for preparations to be put in hand for the erection of a hospital.
The North-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board had previously stated that they could not see their way to establish a hospital for a population of 25,000. As an alternative they have planned for Bracknell's needs to be met by the provision of extensions at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, and Wokingham Hospital, proposals which the council are now asking them to drop in favour of a hospital at Bracknell.
Copies of the resolution are being sent to the Ministry of Health, the Hon. Peter Remnant, MP, the Berkshire County Council, the North-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board, the Oxford Regional Hospital Board and the Bracknell Development Corporation.
Moving the resolution, Mr.F.W.Dixon said they must be guided by the experience of the medical officer of health, who clearly thought hospital facilities were needed at Bracknell.
Mr.Dixon felt that if the extension proposals went through, the town never would have a hospital, and with the possible increase of population to 40,000, the council should ask the authorities to reconsider their previous decision.
Speaking in support, Mr.W.J.Lindop was of the opinion that it would be better to use the national resources to build a hospital as extensions to nearby hospitals would not be economic Mr. R.T.Tolworthy stated that plans for the extensions had not yet gone out to tender and any further waste of public money could be stopped.
Describing the present facilities available as primitive, Mr.J.K.Pocknee said it should be stressed that if the town' was developed to 40,000 the hospital would cater for a population in the district between 80,000 and 100,000.
Extract Reading Standard 02/08/1957

 

Support for Bracknell Hospital

Windsor R.D.C. this week decided to support the Easthampstead R.D.C.'s bid for a new hospital in Bracknell, but does not agree that it should be under a separate group hospital management committee.
Easthampstead R.D.C. wants the Ministry to drop the present plans to cover Bracknell's medical needs with extensions at Heatherwood, Ascot, and Wokingham hospitals.
The council feel that since the town may now have an eventual population of up to 55,000 there is an even more pressing need for a hospital at Bracknell.
Extract Wokingham Times 20/09/1957

 

Staff Nurses and Enrolled Assistant Nurses,

Part time required at Heatherwood Hospital. Ascot.
Wages 3s. 71d. and 3s. 3d per hour. Hours of duty include some evening and occasional weekend work. Evenings and weekends only, considered.
Apply Matron. Heatherwood Orthopaedic Hospital, Ascot.
Extract Wokingham Times 29/11/1957

 

£103,000 hospital extension to meet Bracknell Needs

Details of new hospital facilities for the growing population of Bracknell are given in the annual report of the Windsor Group Hospital Management Committee.
Ascot's Heatherwood Hospital, is to be extended to provide for in-patient and out-patient requirements of Bracknell. This will cost £103,000.
The scheme provides for the building of a new out-patient department, casualty and X-ray block, new operating theatre, new physiotherapy department extension, upgrading of existing ward blocks and new medical officers' hostel. Work is expected to start in 1958.
A new maternity unit of 32 beds including ante-natal department is to be added to the Wokingham hospital to cater for Bracknell New Town. The scheme also provides accommodation for the extra ten nurses who will be required.
The report mentions the "assistance given at the hospitals throughout the group by members of the W.V.S.. other voluntary bodies and individuals." From the "Amenity and Welfare Fund" the hospitals are to spend 15s. per patient and resident staff for Christmas Festivities.
Nurses Needed
In his foreword to the report, Mr.C.Armitage, chairman of the committee. speaks of wage increases for almost every grade of hospital staff.
but even so a disparity remains between industrial and hospital rates of pay for similar type of work. It speaks volumes for hospital employees and is evidence of a sense of vocation that. despite this disparity the staffing position in the hospitals has been maintained, and on the whole, has shown a small improvement." Mr.Armitage makes an appeal for more trained nurses.
Lack of these key personnel" has necessitated the closing of some beds and a slight curtailment of services.
Extract Wokingham Times 06/12/1957

 

Hospital gets gifts from hostelry

Children and nurses of Ascot's Heatherwood Hospital will get toys, sweets, books, chocolates and drinks from a £14 collection made at the Horse and Groom, High Street, Ascot.
The idea was Mr.J.Howell's. He put up a Christmas tree in the Horse and Groom to collect money for this purpose. "Our customers have responded in a wonderful way in contributing to this fund," said Mrs.R.F.Hooper, wife of the licensee.
Mr. Howell, a friend of the Hoopers, made the presentation to the matron of the Heatherwood Hospital on Christmas morning.
Extract Wokingham Times 27/12/1957