Heatherwood Hospital 1973

Ascot

Staff at Ascot's Heatherwood Hospital are putting on a concert at their hall today and on Saturday.
Extract Bracknell Times 11/01/1973

 

Just What The Doctor Ordered

Over 150 doctors. nurses and other staff from Ascot's Heatherwood Hospital danced into the small hours at Bracknell SportsCentre, on Friday evening of last week.
The occasion was the hospital's annual dance. Cy Shane and his band provided the music, playing both modern and not-so-modern music.
To keep everybody going there was plenty of food and drink on hand. Just what the doctor ordered in fact.
"Everybody enjoyed themselves very much." said Miss Kathleen Excell. hospital deputy secretary. Pictured are a group of guests taking a breather from the rigours of the dance floor.
Extract Bracknell Times 01/02/1973

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

 

No local hospitals affected by strike

Heatherwood hospital at Ascot has so far been unaffected by the strike of hospital ancillary staff, which has been hitting hospitals elsewhere in the country. Secretary of the Heatherwood, Wexham and Windsor Park branch of the General and Municipal Workers' Union, Mr J. Steele, said no action was being taken at the moment.
The executive committee of the branch, which represents about 80 members, has passed a resolution criticising the Government and regretting the action the ancillary workers have been forced to take.
They state: "As hospital workers we sincerely regret the pernicious circumstances that have forced us to take industrial action in order to get a wage that will enable our families to live decently.
We firmly believe that once the general public realise the conditions and the wages that have been the lot of ancillary staffs in hospitals they will be appalled and disgusted.
"We also believe they will not only be sympathetic to our cause, but will join with us in forcing this stiff-necked Government to see common sense.
None of Wokingham Hospital's ancillary workers joined the stoppage. Hospital secretary, Mr H. C. Billing, said the hospital experienced no difficulties at all.
"The staff have decided it is far better to keep the hospital running than to strike." he said on Tuesday afternoon.
Extract Bracknell Times 08/03/1973

 

Diana Dors. Breaks Ankle

Diana Dors was recovering in Heatherwood hospital this week after breaking an ankle in Barnsley at the weekend.
The hospital has been inundated with flowers and good wishes from her fans.
Miss Dors broke her ankle when leaving a club in Barnsley on Saturday and had to cancel a tour of other northern towns.
A spokesman for Heatherwood Hospital said she was "comfortable." Miss Dors lives at Sunningdale.
Extract Bracknell Times 15/03/1973

 

Gigantic Jumble Sale

Saturday, May 12 at 2.30pm at The Working Men's Club Sunningdale
Proceeds for the Working Men's Club and Heatherwood Hospital Admission 3p
Extract Bracknell Times 10/05/1973

 

Students start a 'dig' in Ascot

Students from Reading University are having a "dig in" at a mound at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot.
The mound, marked on survey maps, could date from anytime in the last 3,500 years. It could be a Druid burial ground or it could be something from the 19th century.
Whatever it is it will soon disappear to make way for a hospital extension.
So archaeology students from the university are having a practical exercise at the hospital to find out what the mound is.
They are digging each Monday under the direction of Dr C.F.Slade, head of the archaeological department.
Extract Evening Post 16/05/1973

 

Ascot dig for Druid burial ground

Archaeology students have started digging at Heatherwood Hospital. Ascot, in what could be a Druid burial ground.
The dig has been started because extensions to the hospital will be going ahead within the next two years, and if the mound does hold any great historical secrets. archaeologists want to find them before it disappears under new buildings. The mound is outside the hospital kitchens, and could date back 3,500 years.
Leader
There are also two ditches around the mound which are being examined by the students from the Archaeological Faculty of Reading University.
Leading the dig is Dr C.F.Slade head of the archaeological department at the University.
"We are not sure yet quite what the mound contains" he said. "It could be from the Bronze Age or it could be something from the 19th Century.
The students are digging every Monday. So far, they have opened up sections of the ditches.
Extract Bracknell Times 17/05/1973

 

Dem Bones,Dem Dry Bones

There is a very strange operation going on at Ascot's Heatherwood Hospital. Men and women equipped with precision instruments are carefully picking their way through maze of puzzling material.
But, as you can see from the picture, it's not a human body they are exploring.
The explorers are students from Reading University who are busy digging at a mound behind the hospital kitchen in the hopes of finding a bronze age burial ground.
"I would not really like to say what it is at this stage, but the burial ground is the best candidate at the moment," said Dr C.F.Slade, head of the archaeological department at the university. "If we are lucky, we might find an urn with some bones in it and some bits of pots."
The mound, shown on the ordnance survey map of the area, has to be excavated before building starts on extensions to the hospital.
The students who are carrying out the dig as part of their practical studies, have already uncovered a ditch around the mound, and are preparing to dig out a section of the mound.
Extract Bracknell Times 24/05/1973

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

 

Forgotten Hospital

People in Bracknell have forgotten that Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, is their hospital.
"It is terribly difficult to even get Bracknell people interested" said Mrs Valerie Mason, secretary secretary of the hospital's League of Friends.
"The support from the new town is very poor. People tend to forget that Heatherwood is their hospital, even though it is in Ascot."
At the moment, the League of Friends has about 600 members, but few of them come from Bracknell. If anybody, particularly in Bracknell, who wants to join, the League of Friends, should contact Mrs Mason, telephone Winkfield Row, 3639.
Extract Bracknell Times 12/07/1973

 

Awards for Scout Leaders

The District Commissioner of South East Berkshire District Scouts. Mr Eric Cooper, has been awarded the movement's Medal of Merit for "specially good services". Mrs Edna Miles, who completes 25 years as Cub Scout leader to the 2nd Sandhurst Pack. is receive a Bar to her Medal of Merit.
Mr Cooper, who lives at 118 New Wokingham Road. Crowthorne, took over as District Commissioner on January 1 this year, when he succeeded Mr George ("Skip") Newton. He was Scout Leader of the 1st Crowthorne Group for 13 years.
Mrs Miles started the Cub Pack for the 2nd Sandhurst Group 25 years ago, and has held the position since that time. She lives at 16 College Road, College Town, and her husband. John, was recently appointed Assistant District Commissioner for Scouts.
For some years. Mrs Miles was also Cub Scout Leader at Heatherwood Hospital. Ascot. It is not yet known when the awards will be presented.
Extract Bracknell Times 12/07/1973

 

Too Few Maternity Beds

Expectant mothers in need of ante-natal care are being kept out of Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, until the last possible moment because a number of beds in the £75,000 maternity unit, opened 18 months ago, are still closed.
They cannot be used because there is a shortage of trained nursing staff at the hospital.
The beds are necessary." said a spokesman at the maternity unit," but there is a staff shortage, not just at Heatherwood, but generally throughout the country.
If we could have the ward open we would, we just can't get trained staff. We can train assistants to a certain extent ourselves, but not to a qualified level."
No women have been turned away from the hospital, but the term of staying under hospital care is affected by the lack of beds.
Ante-natal cases are being dealt with outside the hospital, but the nursing services, and only urgent cases admitted.
And to aggravate the situation even more, nursing schools have been cutting down on the numbers of students taken on for midwife training.
There are altogether 50 maternity beds at Heatherwood, with about a dozen of these still waiting to be used. The whole unit is designed to cope with deliveries in the Bracknell/Wokingham area, and a drop in the number of deliveries over the last couple of months has helped the situation.
But the demand for ante-natal care remains steady.
The hospital secretary said that although the staffing situation is serious, the beds are not really needed for immediate deliveries, and that if there was a sudden bulge in the local birth-rate a way would be found to open the ward. "Our patients have not suffered," said a spokesman, it's just a shame that we're really a new unit and have to rely on attracting new staff.
We need more trained people, but even the trained ones already working in hospitals are leaving. They're going into shops and factories because it pays better money."
Extract Bracknell Times 09/08/1973

 

Heatherwood Hospital Staff Truly Dedicated

In April, 1971, I was brought to Heatherwood Hospital suffering from a heart attack and again in 1973.
This year I have had two minor operations here and I feel it incumbent upon me to ask your readers to support a white elephant stall this ward is holding as their contribution to a fete on September 22.
Gifts of cash or anything saleable will be gratefully received and should be sent to Sister Fagan. Ward 1. Heatherwood Hospital.
I can assure readers I have spent many years in hospital and can truthfully say I have never met with a more dedicated staff from matron. sisters. nurses and all auxiliary staff. not forgetting the doctors.
On each occasion my stay has been for several weeks, on this occasion eight weeks, and what strikes me is that at least 75 per cent of out patients come from Bracknell or its immediate surroundings.
The Friends of the Hospital would welcome them as members, but most of all. I would ask them to respond to my appeal and if they are free to join in the fun and games in the hospital grounds on September 22
Percy Belcher. Ward 1. Heatherwood Hospital.
Extract Bracknell Times 23/08/1973

 

Fancy Dress

Four year old Rebecca Woof, of North Ascot, achieved a hat trick on Saturday wearing a black top hat sporting a red rose.
She was the winner of a fancy dress competition with her interpretation of Miss Black Magic at Ascot's Heatherwood Hospital League of Friends fete which raised £440 towards a day room for the orthopaedic ward.
Rebecca's earlier prizes came at Ascot and Warfield fetes
Extract Evening Post 24/09/1973

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

 

Heatherwood Aims For £10,000 Target

The need for £10,000 was the driving force behind the organisation of Saturday's fete at Heatherwood Hospital at Ascot.
In opening the fete. Lady Elworthy said the money was needed to build a day room for the patients from the orthopaedic wards.
Lady Elworthy added that she had a personal interest in the hospital, Her sixth grandchild, and only grandson, had been born in the maternity unit.
Nurses
Organised by the matron and staff of the hospital, many of the stalls in the hospital grounds were manned by
Nurses.
Some patients were able to wander around the stalls and sideshows in their dressing gowns and slippers, others in wheel chairs were pushed around, while a few of the many confined to bed were lucky enough to have their beds taken out in to the afternoon sun.
An Indian chief in wheelchair with a broken leg one is hardly the way visualises a savage warrior. But if that Indian chief happens to be a patient who had entered a fancy dress competition, then things become clearer.
The chief was nine and a half year old Nigel Thompson from Windsor who has been in hospital over nine weeks since being injured in a car accident.
Two classes
The fancy dress competition was divided into two classes, one for patients, which Nigel won, and one for visitors.
The winner of the visitor's class was four year old Rebecca Woolf of Gold Cup Lane, Ascot, who was attired in a black top hat. leotard and tights, and was described as Miss Black Magic.
Judges for the competition were Lady Elworthy and the Matron Miss Esme Wadmore.
Extract Bracknell Times 27/09/1973

 

Child Service Hits WRVS

The launching of a child minding service in the maternity unit of Ascot's Heatherwood Hospital has strained the resources of the local Women's Royal Voluntary Service.
And now the district organiser. Mr Mary Hutchinson is appealing for voluntary helpers to man the two hospital canteens and meals on wheels deliveries, as well as the minding service.
She said: "We are now delivering roughly 50 meals day in the Ascot, Sunninghill and Sunningdale area, and we urgently need more drivers." Mrs Hutchinson pointed out that volunteers for the child minding service could include young mothers.
Extract Evening Post 30/10/1973

 

Mother of Four Wins Nursing Award

A Bracknell mother of four a teenager were among the chief prize winners at Ascot's Heatherwood Hospital nurses annual prize giving yesterday.
Mrs Ann Allen. 34. of Firlands Harmans Water received the chairman's prize for the best pupil nurse in the hospital final examination.
She has four children aged seven, eight. 11 and 13. and did her training part-time. living at home instead of in the nurses home.
My mother lives with us and has been a great help." she explained after receiving her prize.
The other Bracknell prize winner was Kim Cover. 19. of Bishopdale. Wildridings. who won the tutor's prize for the student nurse making the best progress during training.
Kim completed her orthopaedic training at Heatherwood and is now doing her general training at Wexham Park Hospital. Slough.
The prize giving itself was a memorable one. said Ascot house committee chairman Mrs Dorothy Benwell. "It is the last time we will be meeting under the aegis of the Windsor Group Hospital Management Committee. This hospital will be going into the Oxford area in the spring." she explained. It would also be the last time the "matron" would be called matron. Next year she will be known as senior nursing officer.
"One of the good things." she said. "will be the closer link between the hospital and the community." Brigadier Helen Cattanach. Matron-in-chief and director of the Army Nursing Service. after presenting the prizes. congratulated those nurses who had not won prizes.
"I'm sure you gave of your best and you can't do any more than that."
Extract Evening Post 01/11/1973

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo of the Mrs Allen and Kim Cover with their awards.
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

Bracknell Mother of Four Gets Major Nursing Prize

Wednesday's nurses' prize giving at Heatherwood Hospital marked the end of an era. Mrs M.D.B.Benwell, chairman of Ascot House Committee reminded those present that this was "the last time we meet under the aegis of the Windsor Hospital Group."
She explained Heatherwood was involved in reorganisation.
"Those hospitals in Berkshire are next year joining a group which is going into Oxford Of the future development of Heatherwood Mrs Benwell said: "Heatherwood has continually expanded all over the place."
Plans were even being considered for a new unit at the back of the old wards, but this had to be held in abeyance temporarily."
"Now we are told there is possibly an extension in Bracknell, with an increase in population. "But none of this is going to change the high standard of nursing training given in this hospital.
When all the shouting is over it is the nurses who are going to have to make this re-organisation work," said Mrs Benwell.
Matron Miss E. Wadmore, whose title changes to Senior Nursing Officer, reported that in 1973 a total of 4,500 patients had been admitted to the wards, and a further 18,561 had received treatment in the accident and emergency department. Out patients numbered 33,000, and admission to the children's ward 1,365.
The prizes and certificates were presented by Brig. Miss Helen Cattanach, Matron-in- Chief and Director of the Army Nursing Service.
Among the nurses who received prizes was mother of four Mrs Ann Allen. Mrs Allen, of Firlands, Harmans Water. Bracknell was awarded the chairman's prize for the best pupil nurse in the Hospital Final Examination.
She has managed to do her training on a part-time basis while running a home and looking after her children aged from seven to 13.
Other prize winners were: Dr Ahern Orthopaedic prize for the nurse with the highest marks in the final orthopaedic exam, Miss Mary Ravenhall, of Oxford.
Senior Nursing Officer's prize for best practical nurse, Mrs Teresa Cruttenden, of Camberley.
Orthopaedic prize for best practical nurse, Miss Kathleen Hubbard, of Farnham.
Tutor's prize for student nurse making best progress during training. Miss Kim Cover, of Bishopdale, Bracknell.
Progress prize for pupil nurse making best progress during training. Miss Mildreckya Waldrond. of Barbados.
First year prizes for best practical nurses: orthopaedic. Miss Gail Cushion of Malta.
General. Miss Mary Clark of Scotland.
Ascot Rotary Club's prize for Service above Self. Miss Sally Buckley, of Kent.
League of Friends' prize for enrolled nurse undertaking further training. Miss Linda Thomson. of Cirencester.
Extract Bracknell Times 08/11/1973

Comment:-The above article was accompanied by a photo of the Mrs Allen and Kim Cover with their awards.
A second photo was also displayed with the following:- "This bevy of nurses brighten the lives of patients at Heatherwood Hospital.
Pictured after last week's prizegiving are Sheila Andrews Linda Gradie, Ruth Jones, Anne Shirley, June Halliday and Kathy Logan".
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo's here.  

Miss Diana Dors

In our issue of September 13 we said that actress Diana Dors was expecting a child and was booked to enter Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, towards the end of that month.
We are now informed that this report was incorrect and we apologise to Miss Dors for any distress or embarrassment which its publication may have caused her.
Extract Bracknell Times 22/11/1973

 

Lab Produces Toys

Staff of the Transport and Road Research Laboratory at Crowthorne volunteered again this year to dress dolls and make toys for the Christmas Appeal by the Department of the Environment.
Mr Alec Silverleaf (left). Director of the Laboratory, presented over 200 dolls, toys and books to Miss C.H.Henry, Chief Welfare Officer at the Department of the Environment.
These toys will provide presents for children in homes and hospitals in Berkshire and for orphans of former staff.
Local recipients will be Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, Harts Leap Cheshire Home, Sandhurst, and Berkshire County Council in-care homes. Bracknell.
Extract Bracknell Times 06/12/1973

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo of the Mr Alec Silverleaf and Miss C.H.Henry.
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

Heatherwood Maternity Unit is to Stay Open

By Bob Miles
The maternity unit at Heatherwood Hospital has narrowly escaped being closed.
It came so near to closure that at least one local doctor was told his patients would have to be booked in at other hospitals from January 31.
Although the closure has been averted for the time being. the hospital will come under different Regional Hospital Board on April 1, and it is not yet known what the new Board will do about the unit.
"I was informed that the maternity unit was to close on January 31 because of the lack of staff." said a local doctor.
"I was given to understand 1 would have to transfer my patients somewhere else after that date." he said.
Said a consultant at the hospital: "It was just a rumour. But it remains a rumour. There have been serious staff shortages which have not yet been finally resolved. "If they are not resolved, it could result in closure.
"It is a very difficult problem The North-West Metropolitan Hospital Board is responsible at the moment, and we hope its members will resolve the problem for us." He said that patients would have to go to either Wokingham or Reading in future if the problem could not be resolved and that unit had to close.
An official at Heatherwood Hospital said the rumour was only talk.
She explained that Registrar had been "on loan" from another hospital in the Group St Mary's. Paddington. London and that this hospital had extended the cover of the loan.
"There is no problem at the moment." she said. "We shall come under Oxford Regional Hospital Board as from April 1st. Before that date, we shall be having talks with the Board about the matter, and we hope it will be to our advantage, and that Registrar cover will be given."
The unit at Heatherwood has 50 maternity beds, and 28 gynaecology beds.
Extract Bracknell Times 27/12/1973

 

Heatherwood was on the list for Santa's rounds

They say that Christmas is a time for the children. And so it was at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, on the afternoon of December 25. when Father Father Christmas visited the children's ward to distribute presents.
The presents were handed out by Mr John Stevens, a charge-nurse at Broadmoor Hospital, who used to work at Heatherwood. He was attended and helped by three theatre sisters.
He gave out the gifts to both patients and staff, and afterwards there was a special Christmas tea for Visiting was allowed during the afternoon, too, and the fun was enjoyed by parents, brothers, and sisters, of the patients.
"There is no place like home" but the staff at Heatherwood did all in their power to make the stay of the patients as comfortable and cheerful as they could.
Extract Bracknell Times 27/12/1973

 

The best Christmas present of them all

First Christmas Day baby this year to be born at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, was Andrew Aranaz. Andrew is in the top picture.
His parents Malcolm and Susan Aranaz live at 3 Canon Hill, Bracknell.
Mr Aranaz who works for ICI at Slough-says he hasn't bought Andrew a miniature train set.yet. But he did buy a bottle of champagne, with which to toast the baby.
Both Andrew, who weighed just over 81b at birth, and his mother.are "doing well."
Extract Bracknell Times 27/12/1973

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo of the happy parents Malcolm and Susan Aranaz.
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

Carols Ring Out For Heatherwood Patients

Christmas music has been ringing in the ears of the patients at Heatherwood Hospital. Ascot. this week. They have been visited by the choir from All Saints Church. Ascot Heath, twice and the nurses and staff have also given them a carol concert.
The first visit was made by the choir from All Saints on Friday afternoon last week when 14 boys sang their way through all the wards. including the maternity unit for the first time.
Tinsel decorations and a Christmas tree were in each ward and the singing really added that final touch of Christmas glow into all the patients.many of whom joined in the singing.
The second visit paid by the choir was on Sunday in the afternoon last week when they gave a carol service in the chapel at the hospital. The full choir from All Saints sang to the patients.
On Monday evening, Christmas Eve, the nurses and staff went round the wards with a final sing before Christmas.
For the children's ward there was an extra treat when they had a Christmas party on Thursday afternoon this week.

Extract Bracknell Times 27/12/1973