By Wilfrid Edgecombe, M.D., F.R.C.P., F.R.C.S.
The history of the Harrogate and District General
Hospital
Great activities
The years 1935-39 marked great activities in building operations.
By 1939 all the above projects were completed. The maternity block,
as previously recorded, came into use in 1937.
The massage department and the nurses' dining hall and lounge
were completed in 1947. Plans were drawn for a pathological
laboratory made possible by the gift of £4,000 by Mrs Morris to
commemorate her husband, the late Dr R J Morris, the building to be
called "The R J Morris Pathological Laboratory." It was completed
and in use by 1939 and only then was it possible for all the
pathological work of the hospital to be done on the spot in place of
having to send it, as formerly, to Dr Miller's private laboratory
adjoining the old hospital. Thus was avoided the delay in the
reception of reports inevitably imposed by separation. The hospital
is greatly indebted to Dr Sinclair Miller for placing his laboratory
and his service at its disposal for so many years.
When the laboratory was fully equipped and in working order a
wholetime consultant pathologist was appointed in the person of Dr J
V Wilson.
The new wing of the nurses' home was completed in 1938 and a
small chapel was constructed in the form of an apse adjoining the
nurses' lecture room.
At the end of 1939 the total cost of building and equipping the
hospital was estimated at £156,998. Compare this with the original
estimate of £74,000, reduced to £42,000, which was all that was
allowed then for the new buildings. It was a severe penalty to pay
for lack of vision, foresight and courage!
In 1937 the lady almoner, Miss Siddons, resigned after twelve
years' service, and Miss Brook was appointed in her place. The
secretary, Mr Disney, was replaced by Mr F A. Thrower.
Through the years since the opening of the new hospital the
Ladies' Linen League, founded in 1924, was very active and helpful
in providing linen articles of all description for hospital use.
Their income for 1937 amounted to £655 and the hospital is deeply
indebted to them for their invaluable help.
In 1938 the hospital was recognised by the Royal College of
Surgeons as a training ground for house surgeons, thus marking a
well deserved upgrading of its status.
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