Heatherwood Hospital 1960's

In Hospital

Larry Turnbull is in hospital, having had a serious accident. He will be pleased to hear from friends at Ward 1A, Heatherwood. Orthopaedic Hospital, Ascot, Berks.
Extract The Stage 25/02/1960

Comment:- Larry Turnbull was from a family of variety artistes and worked for Bertram Mills Circus.
They made a number of visits to the hospital in the 1950's

 Larry's Life 

Gang show

Fourteen members of the 1st Woodley Scout Group are taking part in the Loddon District Gang Show, "Bare Knees, 1960."
The first performance was given at the Heatherwood Hospital at Ascot on Saturday, and there were performances at Woodley at the Coronation Hall on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
Extract Reading Standard 22/04/1960

 

Heatherwood Hospital Ascot

Orthopaedic and General Hospital (200 beds)
Pupil assistant nurses for two years course Applicants accepted at age 18 years or over and can be resident or non-resident.
The hospital offers excellent practical experience in general, theatre and out-patient facilities.
Write or phone Matron (Ascot 153) for illustrated brochure.
Date of next course 28th August.
Extract Weekly News 19/05/1960 & Brackley Advertiser 10/06/1960

Comment:-Nice to see Telephone number has progressed to three numbers.

 

Ward Orderlies

Ward orderlies required at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, full and part-time, 3s. 31d. per hour.
Applications to Matron.
Extract Aldershot News 14/04/1961

 

Mr.W.R.Van Straubenzee, MP's Busy Weekend

Today (Friday)he will be attending the opening of the extension to Heatherwood Hospital.
Extract Reading Standard 12/05/1961

 

St James' Palace, May 12

The Princess Royal, accompanied by the Hon. Gerald and Mrs Lascelles, this afternoon opened new extensions to Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot.
Extract The Scotsman 13/05/1961

 

Wokingham MP's engagements

Mr.W.R.Van Straubenzee, MP for the Wokingham Division, attended the opening by the Princess Royal of the extensions to Heatherwood Hospital on Friday, and was among those presented to Her Royal Highness.
Afterwards, with other guests, he was able to tour the casualty and other wards and see for himself the great improvements which have been made.
Extract Reading Standard 19/05/1961

Comment:- This was a new A & E department,out-patients clinics and Xray.

 

Princess Royal Opens New Hospital Department

The new casualty and out-patients department at Heatherwood Orthopaedic Hospital, Ascot, which is to help meet the needs of Bracknell New Town, was officially opened by the Princess Royal on Friday.
Among those attending were the Bishop of Reading, the Rt.Rev.Eric Knell, who dedicated the new extension; Lord Moyniham, chairman of the North-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board; members of the Windsor Group Management Committee; Mr.W.R.Van Straubenzee, MP, and representatives of the Bracknell Development Corporation and Easthampstead Rural District Council.
Commenting that "Heatherwood was a charming name for a hospital situated in such beautiful surroundings," Her Royal Highness said she took a special interest in the hospital because her younger son, the Hon.Gerald Lascelles, was president of its League of Friends,
Most modern equipment and medical aids were included in the extension, continued the Princess Royal, but these would have been of little use without the exceptional staff of which the hospital could be proud.
Her Royal Highness was handed a bouquet by student nurse Miss Sally Dale, of Fernbank Road, Ascot, and afterwards made a tour of the extension.
Extract Reading Standard 19/05/1961

 

Personal & General

Alderman. Horace R. Neate, of Bedford, Vice-Chairman of the North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board, and Mrs. Neate attended the opening by the Princess Royal on May 12 of a new casualty and out-patients' department at Heatherwood Hospital and were both presented to Her Royal Highness.
Alderman. and Mrs. Neate on Monday attended a reception at the Haberdashers' Hall, London. to meet the Minister of Health. Mr.Enoch Powell, and Mrs. Powell.
Extract Bedfordshire Times 19/05/1961

 

Clerk, Female

Required for general office duties: ability to type an advantage; salary £415 p.a. at 21 or over, subject to adjustment for experience, rising annually to £650 p.a.
Applications stating experience and two referees to Secretary, Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot.
Extract Aldershot News 20/11/1961 & 27/11/1961

 

Part-timers Ease Hospital's Problem

Replying to their request for inquiries to be made regarding the staffing situation at Heatherwood Hospital, Dr.L.H.Brearley, Medical Officer of Health, told Easthampstead Health Committee on Monday that, in common with most hospitals, there was difficulty in maintaining staff at full muster, but there was no question of closing beds because of the high proportion of trained staff recruited on a part-time basis.
The hospital secretary had told him that the position regarding student nurses in training was satisfactory, but vacancies were always available for well educated girls from 17 years of age, Older women not wishing to qualify as trained nurses, could be accepted under the assistant Nurse Training Scheme, Perhaps members with responsibilities in schools and youth clubs would bear the student nurse situation in mind, added the Medical Officer.
Extract Reading Standard 12/01/1962

 

Physiotherapist

Part-time, required at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot.
Apply to Secretary for further details.
Extract Aldershot News 25/01/1963

 

Heatherwood hospital, Ascot

Well educated girls from 17 years of age accepted as Orthopaedic Student Nurses. Salary £300/£325 less £130 residential charges
Apply for illustrated brochure and date of next training school to Matron.
Extract Reading Standard 02/07/1964

 

Newbold College

Gay, colourful national costumes personified the carnival spirit of Scandinavia at an International get-together of the theological students at Newbold College, Binfield.
There are students from 25 different countries at the college, which is unique in the country. On average students stay for four years. Coach trips are organised to help them see something of Britain while they are here.
About 90 per cent of the girls spend their spare time doing voluntary work at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot.
Extract Evening Post 19/10/1965

 

Exams, So the Hospital Shut

Patient had 5-mile journey
The casualty department of Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, closed down for four days in October because of staff difficulties. But the public were not told and a number of minor casualties were taken to the hospital for treatment, Coun. I.D.Hoskins told Easthampstead RDC members last night.
Coun. Hoskins wants the hospital to advertise future enforced closures in the local Press to avoid more wasted journeys. But his motion calling on the council to support his request was overwhelmingly defeated, gaining only four votes.
He said the closure was drawn to his attention by a woman who took her daughter. who had an injured hand. to the hospital. "When she arrived." said Coun. Hoskins, "she found the casualty department was not operating and that she would have to go to Windsor."
Coun. Hoskins said Heatherwood Hospital finally arranged to transport the injured girl to Windsor about a five-mile journey "but only after a bit of a barney." "I would like to see some move by this council to ask the secretary of the hospital or the hospital board to inform the Press and local authorities in future when the casualty department will be shut so that people can arrange to go to other hospitals without going all the way to Ascot first."
Coun. William Lindop said the hospital service was considerably under financed. "The hospital doctor works under worse conditions than the general practitioner and it is difficult to keep the hospital adequately manned all the time with doctors," he said.
The recent closure was because young doctors at the hospital were undergoing examinations.
Up until the last minute, Coun. Lindop said, the hospital secretary was under the impression he would be receiving a relief doctor. But when it was apparent no relief would arrive he took all the necessary precautions. He informed the ambulance service, the stand-by hospital and put a notice on the door of the casualty department.
"It was not thought necessary at that time to inform general practitioners of the closure." Coun. Lindop said. "But when local doctors sent patients along to the hospital the secretary spent a further three hours on the telephone phoning every general practitioner in the area.
"The idea of putting advertisements in the Press saying a hospital department is going to close is a bad idea."
Several councillors praised hospital staff for their wonderful work and Coun. Hoskins, summing up the debate.pointed out that his motion was in no way a reflection on the Heatherwood staff. "The circumstances were beyond their control, as I stated in the motion," he said.
The secretary of Heatherwood Hospital, Mr. W.D.Squires, confirmed the closure was because of examinations. "We took all the precautions we could." he said. "There was nothing more we I could do.
People were inconvenienced when they just came along to the hospital. but all serious casualties go by ambulance. and the ambulance authorities knew the position."
Extract Evening Post 19/10/1965

 

Hospital Gangrene Probe

Two theatres closed at Ascot
Pathologists at Windsor were working today to find the cause of the gas gangrene infection that has closed the twin operating theatres at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot.
Two days ago three patients were found to be suffering from the infection. The operating theatres were closed immediately. They are expected to be closed for ten days until the source of the infection is found.
Meanwhile emergency cases are being transferred to hospitals at Reading. Windsor. and Slough. A pathologist from the group laboratory at Windsor was I called in to make investigations, when the infection started.
Discharge
Patients who are ready for discharge are being allowed to go home. There is no question of quarantine. There are 160 patients in Heatherwood Hospital. Today the three patients were reported to be "quite comfortable" and no other cases have been reported.
A spokesman said it was not an epidemic.
Extract Evening Post 15/12/1965

 

Gangrene: No Operations

The two operating theatres at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, Berkshire, have been closed following three cases of gangrene.
A spokesman said yesterday: "This 1s not an epidemic.
We have closed the theatre for a week or ten days as a precautionary measure pending investigation"
The hospital has 174 beds and does about 20 to 30 operations a week
Extract Liverpool Daily News 16/12/1965

 

Nurse Training

Pupil nurses
resident and non-resident, accepted from 18 years for a two-year training in practical nursing for State Enrolment. Next course commences February
Apply Matron Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot
Nurse Training.
Student nurses, resident and non-resident, accepted from 17 years for a two-year training for the Orthopaedic Nursing Certificate, Students then take shorter course at larger hospitals of their choice to become State Registered Nurses
Apply 10 Matron, Heatherwood Hospital. Ascot, for further details and date of next course
Extract Evening Post 21/01/1966 Aldershot News & Surrey Advertiser 26/02/1966

 

No More Serious Cases for Hospital

Serious accident cases will no longer be handled by Maidenhead's St. Luke's Hospital. They will be taken care of at Wexham Park Hospital, Slough, whose accident unit became fully operational yesterday. This move, said Dr.F.T.Hunt, deputy Medical Officer of Health for Berkshire, may mean that Maidenhead Ambulance Station will need more men.
"Previously, serious cases have been taken to local hospitals first and later they were transferred if necessary to Wexham Park," said Dr.Hunt. Latest equipment At Slough patients will have the benefit of the most up to date equipment. But there is a fear that the extra journey will make more work for Maidenhead Ambulance men, and on occasions leave the area undermanned in an emergency.
"Naturally we are aware of this, as is our committee," said Dr.Hunt. "We shall have to wait and see what happens," he added. "It may well mean with this position the growth of population of Maidenhead and its nearness to the motorway that more men will be needed.
In the next two months we shall be considering the requirement for next year which begins in April, 1967, and these are some of the things that will be in our minds," he said.
General ward
The accident ward at St. Luke's will be taken over as a general services ward; and as the present alterations were planned over 18 months ago by the Windsor Hospitals Group, no alterations necessary there. The Maidenhead Hospital will continue to deal with minor injuries.
Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, has also handed over. under the same plan, its most serious accident cases, which will either be dealt with by King Edward VII Hospital. Windsor or Wexham Park.
Extract Evening Post 11/08/1966

 

Maternity Unit Cost Soars by £120,000

Evening Post Reporter
The cost of a 75-bed maternity unit and related works planned for Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, is now estimated at £620,000, the North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board disclosed this week.
The original estimate was £500,000. The maternity unit is part of a proposal to build up Heatherwood into a district general hospital under the Government's ten year hospital plan. Because of the rapid growth of Bracknell, phase one of the programme will be largely directed to maternity needs, and the Board has asked the Ministry of Health for £620,000 to finance the unit.
If approved work will begin in the 1968-69 period. It will include the maternity unit and increased residential accommodation for medical and nursing staff.
Also included in the first phase of the development are improved pathology facilities (costing £148,000) and an extension to the boiler house to supply the maternity unit and residential accommodation (costing £3,872). This work should be completed by 1971.
Extract Evening Post 13/10/1966

 

Just Two Left

There are just two patients left this Christmas in the children's ward at Ascot's Heatherwood Hospital.
But people in the village are making sure that four year old Lawrence Ringshaw and Steven Bedser (16 months) are not left alone and miserable.
For Lawrence, above, there was a visit yesterday from four Brownies of the 1st Sunninghill pack. Angela Burke, 11, Pamela Buckley, 10, Jayne Alexander, and Sally Driver, 10, brought along a gift of playing bricks for the ward bought out of their own pocket money.
And Steven, below, had his bed placed right next to the Christmas tree when the Brownies came over to speak to him. With the nursing staff joining in, it looks like being a Happy Christmas at Heatherwood.
Extract Evening Post 24/12/1966

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by two photo's of the brownies at the bedsides.
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo's here.

 

NO extra buses for hospital

The Thames Valley Traction Company has told Windsor Rural Council finance and general purposes committee it cannot put on more buses between Bracknell and Heatherwood Hospital. Ascot. without reducing the service between Brookside and Fernbank Road To run additional services would also also mean raising fares
Chairman of the council. Coun Jimmy Matthews, at last night's finance committee meeting said it was a great pity the hospital bus services could not be increased but he fully appreciated that the company had to pay its way He suggested that since so many of the visitors Heatherwood were car owners.
some system could be devised for them to give lifts to hospital visitors without cars.
Extract Evening Post 11/07/1967 Aldershot News & Surrey Advertiser 26/02/1966

 

Ascot Takes Nursing Lead

Ascot's Heatherwood Hospital is one of the pioneers of a new training scheme for nurses.
The scheme due to start in October is a three year State Enrolled Nurses combined with training for the Orthopaedic Diploma. Entrants for this course must be at least 17.
"There is only one other hospital in the country providing this combined three-year course," said Heatherwood's Matron, Miss Esme Wadmore, yesterday. "We can take a maximum of 12 students for this course."The hospital is also starting another new training scheme this month for cadet nurses.
The object of the scheme, said Miss Wadmore, is to provide a course of training for girls of 16 keen on working in a hospital and giving them an opportunity of continuing their education. They will also earn a small salary.
Under the scheme the cadets spend a whole year in the hospital. During term time at the East Berkshire College of Further Education, Bracknell they spend three and a half days in the hospital and the equivalent of two full days at college.
"These cadets will be employed in the hospital on non-nursing duties such as escorting patients to X-ray departments and the physiotherapy department, helping them to dress and undress answering the telephone, taking messages etc.
"They will be working in the accident emergency, out-patients, medical and physiotherapy department.
It is hoped that they will spend about three months in each of the departments in which they work." said Matron. Heatherwood's cadet scheme is limited to girls living in East Berkshire as they will be non-resident and therefore must live at home.
Extract Evening Post 05/09/1967

 

Round Table's Blood Computer

The £1,300 blood volume computer which Ascot Round Table is giving to Heatherwood Hospital. Ascot, will be handed over at a special champagne party on Thursday, September 21.
This is Ascot Round Table's first major project since it was formed a year ago.
Although based at Heatherwood. the computer, will be used extensively in the Windsor Hospital Group of Hospitals.
Extract Evening Post 12/09/1967

 

Hello, Hello, another gift out of Canteen profits

Bed-bound patients Heatherwood Hospital. Ascot, are now able to telephone their family and friends at almost any time of the day or evening, thanks to the WRVS.
Mrs Mary Hutchinson, the WRVS centre organiser for the Windsor Rural District. presented two telephone trolleys complete with coin-box telephones to the hospital yesterday afternoon.
The trolleys and a year's rental in advance for both telephones amounted to just over £150, which came from profits from the canteen run by the WRVS in the hospital's outpatients' department.
Marvellous
Thanking the WRVS, MrsT.H.Boothman, chairman of the Heatherwood Hospital house committee, said: "It is not only the profits from the canteen, but the hours of selfless voluntary work by members of the WRVS which have made these gifts possible."
The first patient to use the mobile telephone was Mrs Olive Embleton, of Bray Road. Maidenhead, who is pictured above with nurse Ruth Atkinson. Mrs Embleton, who has been confined to bed with her leg in a sling since May, was most appreciative.
"It will be a marvellous help to be able to plug the phone in and make my own calls. The kind thought behind it is so wonderful."
A previous gift by the WRVS from the proceeds of the canteen was a £1,000 call-bell system to link each bed with the duty nurse's office.
Extract Evening Post 27/09/1967

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo.
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

Windsor Group Hospital Management Committee Heatherwood

Hospital engineer
required for the Ascot/Bracknell Sub-Group of Hospitals, which includes Heatherwood Hospital (174 beds), now in process of development as a District Hospital.
Applicants should have one of the following qualifications: 1 C. & G. Mechanical Engineering Technicians Certificate (Part II) which must include Plant Maintenance and Works Service. 2 C. & G. Certificate in Plant Engineering. 3 Ministry of Transport First Class Certificate if it includes an Ordinary National Diploma or Ordinary National Certificate. A qualification recognised as equivalent by the Ministry of Health.
Applications will be considered from persons with suitable experience who do not possess one of these qualifications.
Salary scale £1,114-£1,300 p.a.. plus £50 responsibility allowance. Salary will be abated by £150 for no recognised qualification.
It may be possible to assist the successful applicant with housing and removal expenses.
Application forms, with details of duties, obtainable from the Group Secretary,
Extract Evening Post 23/11/1967

 

No Crossing

Sunninghill Parish Council's demand for a pedestrian crossing on the busy London Road outside Heatherwood Hospital has been turned down by the Ministry of Transport.
Since there is already a 40mph speed limit on this stretch of road the Ministry say traffic cannot be moving very fast and in any case there is a refuge in the middle of this road.
Extract Evening Post 21/02/1968

 

Sister

Required for two or three evenings per week for relief duties in matron's office; suitable for retired senior sister looking for interesting, part-time post.
Apply to Matron, Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, Berks.
Staff nurses, part-time for day or night duty.
Please apply to Matron, Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot,
Extract Aldershot News 05/04/1968

 

Student Nurses

Heatherwood hospital Ascot
Interesting 20-month Orthopaedic course for girls of 17 who are waiting to take a general training. Minimum of 2 G.C.E. O level passes.
Pupil nurses
Girls from the age of 18 years of age and upwards accepted for a 2-year practical training to qualify as Enrolled Nurses.
Wide experience gained in all wards and departments.
Easy travelling distance to London, Guildford and Reading. Please write to matron for details
Extract Surrey Advertiser 13/04/1968

 

Rain Wrecks Show's Record Profits Hope

Among the organisations which ran side-shows was the Ascot Round Table, whose aim is to make enough money in a year to provide a blood volume computer for Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot.
Extract Evening Post 29/04/1968

 

Staff Nurse Adverts

Staff nurse, part time, for casualty.
10 p.m. to 7 am., 3-4 nights der week.
Apply Matron, Heatherwood Hospital,Ascot
Staff nurse for ward duties, 2/3 nights per week.
Please apply Matron, Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot.
Extract Aldershot News 10/05/1968

 

Showbiz XI Challenge

Stars from the entertainment world will be challenging a team of county class cricketers to a charity cricket match at Sunningdale on July 21.
The match has been arranged by Ascot Round Table in an attempt to clear £500 which it owes on a blood volume computer which it gave to Heatherwood Hospital. Ascot last year.
A Round Tabler said today: "So far we have not been able to find out who will be playing in the Show Biz XI. All we know is that it is being organised by Vic Lewis."
The match will be played at Charters Secondary Modern School.
Extract Evening Post 27/06/1968

 

Hospital Seeks More Support

A plea for more support from Bracknell new town was made by Mr.John Coxwell, chairman of Heatherwood Hospital League of Friends, at last night's annual meeting at the Ascot hospital.
Heatherwood was Bracknell's general hospital just as much as Ascot's, he said. And with the new maternity wing being built shortly Bracknell's future babies would be born there.
Membership was currently just under 700, said the chairman, but he would like to see it swell to 2.000.
He reported that the hospital chapel built by the league and completed three years ago was at last paid for.
It cost £7,500.
Officers: president, Major-General Sir David Dawnay (re-elected),
chairman. Mr.John Coxwell (re-elected).
secretary, Mrs. Gwen Wallis,
committee, Mr.G.Bullock. MissE.Tilley, Mrs.M.Ettridge. Mrs.A.Pack. Mrs.M.Corey, Mrs.Nicholas, and Mrs Storey.
Extract Evening Post 28/06/1968

 

Beauty With Brains

Meet a nurse with good looks as well as ability. She's Rosemary Monk, of Parkway Drive, Sonning, studying nursing at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot.
And at this week's prize giving she won the Dr.Ahern orthopaedic prize for the student nurse with the highest marks in orthopaedic the final examination.
The prizes and certificates were presented by Marjorie, Countess of Brecknock, Superintendent-in-Chief, St.John Ambulance Brigade.
Extract Evening Post 05/07/1968

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo.
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

TV Stars to Play Cricket at Ascot

Disc jockeys Pete Murray and Don Charles, with former England soccer captain Billy Wright will be among the celebrities playing in a charity cricket match at Sunningdale on July 21.
The match is being organised by Ascot Round Table in a bid to pay off money owed on the £1.300 blood volume computer presented to Heatherwood Hospital. Ascot, by the Round Table
An All County XI will play at Show Biz XI formed by theatrical promoter Vic Lewis. at Charters Secondary School.
Actress Eunice Gayson will open the match at 2.30 by bowling the first ball. Her husband, actor Bryan Jackson. will be one of the players.
Valerie Singleton from BBC TV's children's programme "Blue Peter is expected to accompany her fiancée, Pete Murray, to be a spectator at the game.
Extract Evening Post 10/07/1968

 

Energetic Ascot WRVS Workers Receive Service Medals

Two members of the Ascot Women's Royal Voluntary Service have received fifteen year service medals.
They are Mrs. Mary Hutchinson, of Lower Village Road. Sunninghill, who has been WRVS centre organiser for Windsor rural district for practically all of her service, and Mrs. Kate Clyde. of Chobham Road. Sunningdale.
They received their awards from WRVS regional administrator Miss Joan Bertram.
She spoke of the work done in the district and emphasised the value of the organisation's emergency feeding training in peace time as well as wartime.
Mrs. Hutchinson recalled that when she first joined the service there were only six members in the district and she found herself being pushed into the job of centre organiser.
Now she was happy to report there were 70 members.
Fifteen years ago the centre only ran the Heatherwood Hospital trolley shop and a clothes exchange.
Now it has expanded to running the hospital canteen, the meals on wheels service, the Darby and Joan Club with more than 100 members, trolley shops and a library service in old people's homes, assisting at baby clinics and organising children's country holidays.
Among those present at the medal presentations were the county organiser for WRVS, Miss Doris Finch, and the clerk to the Windsor Rural Council. Mr.George Allen.
Extract Evening Post 12/07/1968

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo.
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

Hospital Hours Row

Committee members that they had not been advised part-time opening was being considered. he said: " We approached the county council as the health authority, which is the normal practice of the board, and, we think, a justified practice.
Presumably the county council will represent the views of Maidenhead, as it no doubt has members from Maidenhead."
He added that the proposal would not mean a strain on the services at Wexham Park. The basis of the idea is that Wexham can cope where Maidenhead General can't." Present arrangements where some accident victims are taken to Wexham, some to Maidenhead General and some occasionally to Heatherwood Hospital. Ascot, would continue except at night and weekends, when Wexham and Heatherwood would be used.
He added that it was impossible to estimate the percentage of casualties dealt with at Maidenhead General at present.
Members of the borough council's health committee have condemned the plan - the unit would open at nine am each weekday as "another step to make Maidenhead a pour relation where hospital services are concerned."
And Berkshire County Council is worried that there will be a greater strain on the running costs and manpower of its ambulance service.
Maidenhead's Mayor. Ald. John Neve, said today: "We feel very sore about this. "Maidenhead's casualty department is of use, even if it is only as a first aid post before injured are taken on to Wexham Park Hospital at Slough. Delays in treatment, even by five minutes. could bleeding to death. mean a man with a cut artery Ignored
"We have been fighting for a new hospital in Maidenhead for years but now we see more erosion eating in to the service."
Ald Neve criticised the board for not informing Maidenhead Borough Council it was considering the partial close down. "It is a great shame we were not consulted." he said "A few years ago we were promised full co-operation and liaison by the board and now we have been ignored and let down." Dr.R.M.Laslett, Maidenhead's Medical Officer of Health said: "Running down the casualty service is very grievous indeed for Maidenhead. Casualty work does not end at five pm."
Berkshire's deputy Medical Officer. Dr.FT.Hunt. commented: "The county health committee is very concerned because of the disadvantage to Maidenhead people and the strain this will place on ambulance services.
"Major emergencies are already taken to Wexham Park. But if patients with more minor injuries have to go there as well there will be a number of longer journeys for out ambulances straining manpower and increasing running costs."
Ald. Sidney Keelan, Maiden- head health committee chair man, said a three man sub- committee, including himself and the Mayor had asked for an interview with the board.
"If necessary we will contact our MP (Sir Charles Mott-Radclyffe) and ask for an interview with the Minister of Health," he said.
Extract Evening Post 25/09/1968

Comment:- The article refer's to the hospital in Maidenhead.

 

League of Friends of Heatherwood Hospital

Jumble sale will be held on Saturday. November 16, in the Social Hall. Heatherwood Hospital. Ascot. at 2.15pm.
Offers of jumble to Assistant Matron
Extract Evening Post 13/11/1968 & 14/11/1968

 

Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot

Sister required for Acute Orthopaedic Ward. prospective candidate may view the hospital by appointment
Please write to Matron
Extract Evening Post 03/12/1968 & 04/12/1968 & 05/12/1968

 

Nursing Opportunities at Heatherwood Hospital Ascot

Newly-designed children's ward with Mother and Baby Unit
Staff nurses SRN or RSCN
State-enrolled nurses with children's experience. required for day and night duty
Other vacancies:
State registered nurses for the 12 months' course for the Orthopaedic Nursing Certificate
State enrolled nurses for the 14 months' course for the Orthopaedic Diploma
Staff nurses full-time or part-time, for night duty
Prospective candidates may visit the hospital by appointment. Please write to Matron
Extract Evening Post 04/12/1968 & 05/12/1968

 

Residents Plead for a Hospital From Bert May Wokingham

Bracknell Residents' Association last night decided to press the Minister of Health for a date when a general hospital will be provided in Bracknell.
"We are most concerned about the inadequacy of existing hospital facilities." said chairman Mr Bernard Groves.
"There are no hospital facilities in the new town. which is planned to grow to a population of 75.000 within the next ten years, and which will probably grow to 100.000"
Poor
He said Bracknell residents in need of hospital treatment had to travel to Ascot or Windsor It was most inconvenient particularly for the old and the young, and bus services to the two centres were poor
The association has drawn up a petition demanding a hospital which it intends to present to the Minister of Health
But his report at yesterday's annual meeting Mr Grove said the petition had been suspended until more information on plans to extend Heatherwood Hospital. Ascot. and to provide a health centre on the Great Hollands Estate. had been obtained
Extract Evening Post 09/04/1969

 

Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot

The following staff are required:
NIGHT SISTER-
part-time, two or three nights per week: hours 8pm-8am. STAFF NURSES-
for day or night duty for general and children's wards, also operating theatre.
PUPIL NURSES-
from the age of 18 years, for a two-year practical nursing course leading to State enrolment. Part-time training for married women, if desired.
ORTHOPAEDIC STUDENT NURSES-
Girls of 17 years of age with a minimum of two subjects at GCEO" level, accepted for 20-months Orthopaedic Nursing course, prior to "general" training.
ORTHOPAEDIC PUPIL NURSES-
Girls of 17 years of age who have reached GCE or CSE standard, accepted for three-year practical course in Orthopaedic and General Nursing.
For details: Please write or Telephone Matron, Ascot 21515.
Extract Evening Post 18/07/1969

 

How can people be SO cruel?

Seems to us that what Bracknell New Town needs is an injection of smart new thinking.
Mrs. Marlene Bradshaw is a night sister in the casualty department of Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, Berks which is also Bracknell's district hospital.
She is thirty-two and has two children to support. She lives in a flat on the border of the Easthampstead district council area. where no council housing is available.
Three times Bracknell Development Corporation has turned down applications from her for a subsidised Bracknell flat. The Corporation says it is only interested in London overspill
So she is paying £44 out of her £65-a-month pay for a rented flat. Leaving her and the children roughly a fiver a week to live on. She says she has cut down her own food to balance her budget.
What a shameful situation!
Nurses are notoriously underpaid. To expect a woman of this calibre to carry on doing a worth while Job under such appalling strain is not only inexcusable, it is downright cruelty.
Extract Sunday Mirror 26/10/1969

Comment:- The underlying problem throughout the hospital's history, accommodation for staff ?