Heatherwood Hospital Late 1950's

Friends rally round Heatherwood form league to help

A League of Friends for Heatherwood Hospital was formed at a meeting sponsored by Ascot Rotary Club on Thursday of last week.
The meeting, attended by representatives of a large number of organisations from Bracknell and Ascot, unanimously agreed that Heatherwood Hospital needed friends. Mr.Alan Rose, chairman of League of Friends of Slough hospitals, gave an account of the work done by his league.
He said the Slough League had furnished the new casualty department from top to bottom in Upton Hospital. They had supplied electric razors for men's wards and hair dryers for women's wards.
Bedside Phones
In addition, said Mr.Rose, the League had introduced a ward telephone trolley service. Patients in Slough hospitals could now phone their relatives from their beds.
Slough League, only 18 months old, had also provided a sewing machine for the nurses' ward. It now had a membership of 800.
Miss M.Hatch, matron of Upton Hospital, said that furniture and other services provided by the League of Friends saved a considerable amount of N.H.S. money.
Matron of Heatherwood Hospital, Miss D.M.Howes, said she had been very lucky in having the support of some of the local organisations. She mentioned the Rotary Club, the Red Cross and the W.V.S. which provided the hospital with the trolley shop and a canteen for visitors.
All Joined
A draft constitution for the new League was discussed and adopted. Nearly all the 80 people present became members.
Mr.Alfred Cheney, of 18 Deepfield Road, Bracknell, was elected secretary of the League. Mr. S.J.Maskell, of Ascot, was elected treasurer.
Among those on the committee are: Mr.John Coxwell, Mr.R.T.j Tolworthy, Mr.P. Beechey, Mrs. M.Hutchinson, Mr.Gordon Butcher, Mr.Alan Hambling and Mrs. Clare. The vice-presidents are: Inspector R.T.Dedman, Major H.Parker, Mr. H.F.Frisby, Miss H.K.Henry, Mr.H.Spencer and Mrs Guest.
Extract Wokingham Times 21/02/1958

 

Gardener Required

Some general experience advantageous. Wages £8 9s. per 46- hour week.
Apply in writing, with names of two referees. to Secretary, Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot.
Extract Wokingham Times 11/04/1958

 

Happy hospital

MR.Sydney N.Peacock wants me to tell readers how well patients are treated at Heatherwood Hospital.
"The doctors, nurses and staff are really superb," he says. Mr.Peacock was involved in a road accident at that Bracknell crossroads (I don't need to name it) and a report that appeared in this paper said that he had been taken to hospital and later released.
In fact he is still there, and it was to tell us this that he wrote us the letter which included the tribute to the hospital staff. Sorry we were a little premature in getting you out Mr.Peacock, but I am sure it won't be long now!
Extract Wokingham Times 13/06/1958

 

Dining Room Maid

Required. Training will be given to suitable applicant. Wages £6 2s. 3d.
Apply: Catering Officer, Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot.
Extract Wokingham Times 13/06/1958

 

Hospital Porter

Required, some experience an advantage. Basic wage £8 7s.
Apply Secretary, Heatherwood Orthopaedic Hospital, Ascot.
Extract Wokingham Times 27/06/1958

 

Heatherwood Hospital

League of friends at a meeting last week decided to organise a dance at the hospital in October to raise funds for their many proposed activities to help the patients.
The League, formed earlier this year, now has 200 members and £30 in the kitty. Its objective is 1,000. members.
After the proposed October dance it hopes to hold another dance in Bracknell.
Extract Wokingham Times 25/07/1958

 

The Baby Show

Thirty finalists will be competing in three classes at the final of the carnival baby competition, organised by this newspaper, at the Industrial Field.
The 30 finalists were chosen from nearly 100 entries. The Clifford cup is being presented to the champion baby and nearly £40, presented by the Mercury, will be distributed among the first three babies in each class, including a £15 award to the champion baby,
The judges on Monday will be Dr.L.G.Jacob, of Bracondale, Binfield.
Mr.R.H. Maudsley, consultant orthopaedic surgeon. Heatherwood Hospital. Ascot,
Mrs.Jean Butcher, night superintendent, Heatherwood Hospital, and
Miss Dennehy, S.R.N., staff nurse at Kent Brothers, Broad Lane, Bracknell.
The judging will take place on the lower field at the Industrial Ground and not on the upper field as previously arranged.
Extract Wokingham Times 02/08/1958

 

Student Nurses

Opportunity still exists for one or two well educated girls (17 years or over ). to join the next Training School commencing 31st August.
Training allowance in first year £252 less £120 for residence. Apply immediately to Matron. Heatherwood Orthopaedic Hospital, Ascot.
Extract Wokingham Times 08/08/1958 & 15/08/1958

 

Ascot

Chamber of trade
is holding a dance at the Royal Ascot Hotel on Wednesday, October 1, in aid of the Heatherwood Hospital League of Friends, Dancing will be to Frank Langham and his Mayfair music.
On October 10th. the League of Friends is holding a dance at Heatherwood Hospital at which Hon. Gerald Lascelles, President of the League, will be present.
At the moment the League has approximately 250 members, but before long it hopes to have a membership of 1,000.
Extract Wokingham Times 05/09/1958

 

Urgently

Needed at Heatherwood hospital, a volunteer to play the piano at Sunday evening services, and volunteers for arranging flowers in the wards on two days a week.
Heatherwood Hospital
League of Friends is holding its first dance at the hospital on Friday next week when the Rhythm Kings will supply music for dancing.
There are still a few tickets available for the first big function to be held by this recently formed voluntary Organisation.
The League has already received a list of hospital requirements from the Matron. Included in the list are TV sets for the wards and a private chapel for patients and staff.
Extract Wokingham Times 03/10/1958

 

Experienced Electrician

Required at Pinewood Hospital, nine Mile Ride. Wokingham. Wages 4s. 94d. per hour, 44 hour week. Occasional duties at Heatherwood Orthopaedic Hospital. Ascot.
Applications to Secretary.

Nursing Auxiliaries
are required at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot.
Full time posts at a commencing salary of £361- 67 p.a. depending upon age previous nursing service.
Part time posts for 2 or 3 nights weekly at approximately £1 10s. per night with free meals.
Applications in writing to Matron.
Extract Wokingham Times 03/10/1958

 

Hospital

Porter required. Some experience of hospital duties an advantage. Basic wage £8 14s. 4d. per week.
Apply Secretary, Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot.
Extract Wokingham Times 17/10/1958 & 24/10/1958

 

Hospital's friends hold dance

Heatherwood Hospital League of Friends were resoundingly successful in their first big venture, a buffet dance held at the hospital last Friday.
There were far more dancers than the organisers had dared hope would turn up so many, in fact, that a number of non-ticket holders had to be turned away for fear the walls would give at the seams!
The president, the Hon. Gerald Lascelles, was there with his wife, joining wholeheartedly in the fun.
Music for dancing was supplied by the Rhythm Kings, and mouth-watering buffet was arranged! by the hospital catering officer.
Extract Wokingham Times 17/10/1958

 

Health of Bracknell "No Hope Of Hospital"

There is absolutely no hope of a hospital being built at Bracknell within the foreseeable future, Dr. W. B. Moore, Medical Officer of Health for East Berkshire, told a meeting of Bracknell New Town Tenants Association, at St. Michael's School Easthampstead. on Thursday.
"I know how bitter you all feel about the lack of a hospital in the town, but it is quite out of the question," added the doctor.
In reply to a chorus of Why? Why?" from his audience. Dr. Moore replied is a question of economics. I am only telling you what the Hospital Board say.
Any hospital built to-day must be an economic one, large enough to be self-contained, with every facility that is needed. and not like the old cottage hospitals
The Medical Officer explained that it was the intention of the North-West Metropolitan Hospital Board to build a large hospital at Slough which will have everything that a hospital should have.
In the meanwhile, Bracknell was served by hospitals at Windsor. Wokingham and Reading. while enlargements were being made at Heatherwood Hospital. Ascot
Earlier in his talk. Dr. Moore said he had been 40 years in medicine and was nearing the end of his career.
He was retiring in 18 months' time and he was sorry that he would be unable to have a proper go" at a New Town I think most of you come from London and you will have to make up your minds to the fact that you won't get the facilities in Bracknell that you had in London." he said.
Dr. Moore stated that as Medical Officer of Health for East Berkshire he had six districts with a population of 150.000 in his charge.
When he retired these districts were to be split up into county districts, each with its own Medical Officer of Health. Bracknell would be part of the Easthampstead county district. There would be a whole-time M.O.H. for the Easthampstead district, who would spend half of his time with the Rural District Council and the other with the county as a County Assistant Medical Officer dealing with clinics, child welfare, etc. This would come about after February, 1960, and I hope you will get a jolly good man." said Dr. Moore.

Different Authorities Responsible
The speaker said it must be appreciated that there were different authorities responsible for the provision of health services. The entire responsibility for the provision of hospitals in this area was with the North-West Metropolitan Hospital Board.
"What ever they say goes as far as hospitals are concerned." The second authority was the County Council, who were responsible for the major part of the personal health service, maternity clinics, school and advisory clinics, etc. "The County Council have to provide these services and the Rural District Council have no power to do so." he explained.
He went on to say that the third authority was the local Executive Committee which looked after the family doctors, dentists, chemists, etc.
The Rural District Council were responsible for the prevention of infectious diseases, and for housing accommodation. sewerage, refuse collection, etc. The Medical Officer stated that most important of all, in his opinion, was a good general practitioner service.
For many years now," he said, "I have been doing locums in many parts of London and it grieves me to see how few people want their doctor to treat them in their own homes."
He pleaded "Don't let your family doctors become people who just write out forms and prescriptions."
Turning to the question of a Health Centre which has been promised for Bracknell. Dr. Moore told his audience to make sure that it was held in something much better than a church hall.
Bracknell should have a Health Centre that is worthy of a New Town." It should contain a school clinic, ante-natal and post-natal clinics, and a place for a Mother's Club and a Father's Club where mothercraft and father craft would be taught.
"All young married couples in the town should have the opportunity to learn to live together as married couples and be able to have instruction in the bringing up of their children."
The speaker continued that the Health Centre should have a married women's advisory section and a child guidance clinic. Dr. Moore added that the Health Centre should also contain a minor casualty unit.
Mentioning the excellent industrial health service at Slough, he said most of the factories at Bracknell now employed industrial nurses.
"In nine cases out of ten a doctor is not needed to give treatment and you want a similar service for general use at your Health Centre." he said.
Dr. Moore also stressed the importance of a Home Help service, which, he said. would be composed of full time employees. He expressed the opinion that it was best for mothers to have their babies at home rather than in hospital.
Extract Reading Mercury 25/10/1958

 

After 9 years - no progress

Ministry ban on clinic Bracknell needs it
but no permit till 1960
AFTER nine years of continued development of Bracknell in that time A population has jumped from 5,000 to 15,000 the town has not yet been provided with any additional medical facilities.
FIVE YEARS AGO, THE WEEKLY CLINIC IN CHURCH HOUSE WAS ATTENDED BY 85 PEOPLE. TODAY, THE SAME CLINIC STILL WEEKLY HAS NEARLY 400 A WEEK. THIS INCLUDES A LARGE NUMBER OF MOTHERS AND CHILDREN.
And a county council plan for a Bracknell welfare clinic cost, £14,000 is being held up by the Minister of Health. He will not sanction a £14,000 clinic for a population of 15,000 until 1960.
County Health Committee told the county council last Saturday that the Minister of Health had approved only the purchase of a site at Bracknell for future building of an ambulance station and clinic premises.
An example of the leisurely manner in which this problem has been treated by the Minister of Health is provided by the fact that the county council sought the Minister's approval in a letter dated July 20, 1957.
The Minister sent a detailed reply 10 months later on May 19, 1958. And it took the Minister another three months until September this year to give his final approval for the purchase of the site.
Long delay
For several years, the Easthampstead R.D.C. has been asking the county council to provide clinic facilities in Bracknell. The County Health Committee, in its turn, says that for several years it had plans to provide a new ambulance station and clinic in Bracknell.
But it was not until June, 1957, that the Bracknell Development Corporation and the county council could reach agreement on the purchase of a site.
Mr.J.V.Rowley, general manager of the Development Corporation, told a Times reporter this week: "I would refute absolutely any suggestion that the delay has been caused because the Corporation did not provide a site earlier. "Had the county council been prepared to go ahead with providing a welfare centre, the Corporation would have provided the land before June, 1957.
A plan
The only concrete plan not implemented has come from the North-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board for the extension of Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, to cater for Bracknell New Town needs.
It is admitted on all sides that Bracknell is not only a young town, but that it has a predominantly young population, which means a large number of young mothers and their babies.
Bracknell branch of the Amalgamated Engineering Union, which has been trying for years to get some sort of a medical centre in Bracknell, has now approached the Bracknell Industrial Group to explore the possibility of setting up a "central industrial medical service." Such a service is in operation in other New Towns. Said Mr.T.Baldwin, secretary of the A.E.U.: "I hope firms not in the Bracknell Industrial Group will see their way clear to co-operate in this venture."
A Times reporter understands that Easthampstead R.D.C.'s Health Committee has decided to send a delegation to see the Minister of Health, to discuss the speedy provision of medical facilities in Bracknell.
Extract Wokingham Times 31/10/1958

 

Experienced Electrician required

Principally for maintenance work on hospital installation and plant. Wages 4s. 91d. per hour, 44 hour week.
Must have served apprenticeship
Applications giving full personal details with names of two referees to Secretary, Heatherwood. Orthopaedic Hospital, Ascot.
Extract Wokingham Times 07/11/1958

 

Domestic Assistants and Ward Orderlies

Full and part time required at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot. Basic wages: 2/102d and 3/03d. per hour respectively. Holidays with pay.
Apply to Matron.
Extract Wokingham Times 21/11/1958

 

The Subtle Matron

FOR most people the matron of a hospital is synonymous with discipline, but the matron of Heatherwood Hospital is in addition diplomat.
The Heatherwood Hospital's League of Friends, which was formed only nine months ago, had announced at one of its meetings that it had raised enough money to provide the hospital with a television set no mean feat in the time it had at its disposal. The matron expressed her thanks, and, with some subtlety, assured the committee that the task of explaining to the women's ward that funds had not run to a second television set, and that the men had been favoured with the first one, might safely be left to her.
As a consequence. two television sets (all the money for the second set has not yet been acquired, but the league is optimistic about public support) were being presented to the hospital last night (Thursday), and formally handed over by the president of the league, the Hon. Gerald Lascelles.
The kind of person who devotes his or her leisure to the admirable cause of collecting money for hospitals is not one who could hope to resist an appeal like that of matron of Heatherwood Hospital, even if it was put in the form of an expression of thanks! And as no one can deny the worthiness of the cause, so is the therapeutic value of television beyond question. You are either for it or against it there seems to be no in between; and both pleasure and wrath are excellent stimulants to recovery.
We may, of course, have overlooked the case of a patient who becomes enamoured of television, and, as it reaches the time for him to leave, remembers that he has no television set at home.
But then its a question of discipline. and I am sure that matron will cope.
Extract Wokingham Times 21/11/1958

 

Cash Needed for Hospital TV Sets

Two television sets were presented to Heatherwood Orthopædic Hospital last Thursday week on behalf of the hospital's League of Friends by their president, the Hon. Gerald Lascelles.
Immediately Mr. Lascelles had switched on the set in the men's ward, it was brought into use by a number of patients allowed up for the ceremony.
Officially presenting the sets, Mr.Lascelles explained that although over £100 had already been collected by the friends, they still had to find £40 or £50 to be out of "the red."
"I hope that a good many people will help to raise the remainder,' invited Mr. Lascelles.
Helpers Needed
"I am very proud of the committee for their magnificent progress in such a short time."
He spoke of the personal services which the League of Friends intended to carry out for the hospital services not within the scope of the Health Service.
Many more voluntary helpers would be needed, said Mr Lascelles, when the hospital expanded to take general patients from the Bracknell area.
He hoped the television sets would help to relieve the tedium of those patients who had to stay in hospital for a long period.
Extract Wokingham Times 28/11/1958

 

Industrialists Criticise New Towns Bill

Recently published New Towns Bill was considered by the Bracknell Industrial Group at its meeting last week.
The meeting agreed that the Bill was "deficient in that it did not make clear arrangements standardising the procedure as regards one New Town and another." A suggestion was considered that the New Towns Industrial Groups Association be urged to set up an advisory committee.
Telephone Delay
Members reported that interruption of trunk telephone calls still continued and was a nuisance. Delay in getting a reply from the local exchange was still continuing, but the service was showing signs of improvement.
The meeting expressed regret at the delay in the provision of additional facilities at Heatherwood Hospital to cater for Bracknell needs.
In the meantime, it was noted with satisfaction that there had been a build up of local factory First Aid and nursing facilities.
The group agreed to ask the Development Corporation to consider the provision of additional local, housing for aged persons "so as to relieve both the personal and financial problems of the persons concerned and also, at the same time, release the larger tenanted houses, at present occupied by such persons, for present and future demands."
Extract Wokingham Times 05/12/1958

 

Medical Facilities For New Town

Ministry to receive council delegation
After much correspondence calls, Easthampstead Rural District Council have persuaded the Ministry of Health to discuss with them the question of medical facilities for Bracknell New Town. Main concern of the council has been the seeming lack of action regarding the proposed new welfare clinic/ambulance station at Rochdale Road, a delay which has brought a great deal of criticism from members over the past few months.
The news that the Ministry were prepared to meet members of the counc1 was given at Monday's meeting of the Health Committee: by Mr.A.Hannington (committee chairman), who said they had received the information by telephone that day.
The Ministry had said they were willing to receive a council delegation and also representatives of the Berkshire County Council and the North-West Metropolitan Hospital Board at the same time.
"I hope you will share my pleasure at this latest move," added the chairman. Mr.A.Gough said it had been stated by the architect at the County Health Committee meeting that to "get the specifications and bills of quantities would take 12 months."
When the chairman suggested they should ask the council for information in a "friendly manner to see how far they have got with their plans." Mr.Pocknee replied that they were "three years past the friendly stage" and they were not getting anywhere. It was ridiculous, he said. that it might be a year before any ground was turned.
Mr.J.Dolan thought it was not that the county were doing nothing. The architect had merely stated how long it might take to do the particular part of the job. After further discussion it was finally decided to ask the County Council how long it would be before a start was made on the project. There was also criticism over the delay in adapting Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, to provide two wards and a surgical unit for Bracknell people. Mr.R.T.Tolworthy, who is a member of the Windsor Group Hospital Committee and Heatherwood Management Committee:, said the delay was at the Ministry.
After a letter had been read stating that the Hospital Board were awaiting approval of the proposals, he said that he first saw the plans back in November, 1957. and in September last they were still at the Ministry. He was told at Heatherwood last week that the plans were still there.
It was agreed first to ask the Ministry about the delay, and to point out that the council would Ike to bring the matter forward when they met them about the welfare clinic.
During a discussion on infant welfare centres, the Medical Officer of Health for the District, Dr.W.B.Moore, said the services available were not sufficient for a town of the size of Bracknell. He felt it was not reasonable to expect mothers to take their children to the hall now being used and that. as the welfare clinic seemed to be some way off, they should consider renting other halls.
He did not think it was right that mothers should have to go long distances.
On being put to the meeting it was agreed that the Medical Officer of Health should consult the County Medical Officer to see in what way the infant welfare service could be improved.
Dr.Moore reported that the population for the Rural District was 37.830. There was an average birth rate of 70 per month compared with 54 in 1957, and he thought that in a year or two the figure would greatly increase.
Extract Reading Standard 16/01/1959

 

Wokingham and Heatherwood Hospitals

Questions about the Wokingham and Heatherwood (Ascot) Hospitals were asked by Mr. Peter Remnant, M.P. for Wokingham. of the Minister of Health on Monday.
The Parliamentary Secretary (Mr.R.Thompson), replying, told Mr.Remnant that the list of tenders for the extension of the Maternity Department at Wokingham Hospital was sent to the Minister last week and was being examined. He hoped, therefore, to be able to authorize work to proceed very shortly.
When Mr.Remnant asked why approval had not yet been given to the additions and alterations at Heatherwood, Mr.Thompson replied: "The latest estimate of cost has risen by 40 per cent, and the Minister has had to inquire into the reasons for the increase. He hopes, however, to be able to approve a scheme very shortly."
Extract Reading Standard 06/02/1959

 

Gang Show at Ascot

The Loddon District Gang Show" Bare Knees," with 15 members of the 1st Woodley Scout Group in the cast, was presented at the Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, on Saturday
Extract Reading Standard 24/04/1959

 

Hospital costs at Wokingham

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. R.Thompson), replying to a question by Mr. Peter Remnant, MP for Wokingham, in the Commons on Monday, said he did not think it wise to disclose the amounts of tenders for hospital building, but the estimated costs of the additions to Heatherwood Hospital and the Wokingham Maternity Unit, including fees and equipment, were £170,000 and £110,000 respectively.
Mr.Thompson added that the contract dates for the completion of the building work were: for Heatherwood, January, 1961; Wokingham, March, 1960.
Extract Reading Standard 12/06/1959

 

Bracknell Biggest Building Boom

Plans for the extension Heatherwood Hospital, at Ascot, and the Maternity Hospital, at Wokingham, are said to be well in hand and the Berkshire County Council's plans for their ante-natal, post-natal and child welfare clinics are well advanced.
Extract Reading Standard 30/10/1959

 

Clerical Assistant

Male or female, required, Experience of general office routine with some hospital stores control desirable but not essential.
Salary scale £286 to £600 with commencing point subject to age and experience.
Applications, giving full details and two referees, to Secretary, Heatherwood Hospital.Ascot.
Extract Aldershot News 12/06/1959