The Story of a Hospital

By Wilfrid Edgecombe, M.D., F.R.C.P., F.R.C.S.

The history of the Harrogate and District General Hospital

Massage department

In this year - 1931 - is noted the first beginnings of a massage department at the new hospital. Starting in a very small way it was serviced on a voluntary basis by Mr Fryer and Miss Holmberg. Previously massage had been done at the old hospital by Mr Foster and Miss Haigh, who retired when the new department was begun. The demand for massage grew rapidly, and it was soon found necessary to appoint a full-time paid masseuse, Miss Bland. The work was carried on first in one of the side wards and later in the isolation block. The need for a special department was urgently felt but it was not until 1936 that it was found possible to erect the present building where the work has increased and developed into a full-blown physio-therapeutic unit, with all the necessary electrical and mechanical apparatus, and staffed by a team of six fully qualified physiotherapists.

On the initiative and through the kindness of Mrs C W Whitworth a hard tennis court was constructed for the recreation of the nurses and resident medical staff. It is now extensively used and is a source of great joy to all concerned.

In 1931 the number of medical cases admitted was 384 and of surgical 813, showing a marked increase in the number of medical cases and thus already beginning to justify the much needed enlargement of the hospital.