By Wilfrid Edgecombe, M.D., F.R.C.P., F.R.C.S.
The history of the Harrogate and District General
Hospital
The outbreak of war in 1939 led to a rapid increase in the
development of the Harrogate and District General Hospital. To meet
the anticipated demand for the admission of military patients the
normal bed complement of 144 was increased temporarily by 60. This
was achieved by placing extra beds in the existing wards and it led
to some unavoidable overcrowding.
Meanwhile, five wooden hutments, each containing 30 beds, were
speedily erected by the Government. They were solidly constructed
and have remained in use ever since, two of them being adapted later
on for other purposes as will be narrated.
A large number of military cases were admitted, the cost of their
maintenance and treatment being borne wholly by the Government. The
provision of these extra beds in the hutments has proved a Godsend
to the hospital since the war, enabling the constantly increasing
demand for hospital treatment to be met, particularly since the
takeover by the National Health Service. Also, the longterm project
of building a second storey on to each of the main ward wings has
been rendered unnecessary for many years to come.
In 1941, Conyngham Hall, Knaresborough, was taken and adapted as
a convalescent hospital for the reception of patients from the
Harrogate General. Mrs Stopham Dawson was appointed matron and Dr
Edgecombe as visiting physician. It remained in service until 1945
when, at the end of the war, it was closed down.
The hospital suffered in this year a grievous loss in the death
of the president, Captain C S Greenwood. The Princess Royal kindly
consented to become president in his place.
Here it is fitting to record the extraordinary and unrivalled
connection of the Greenwood family with the hospital.
The first president was Major J Greenwood, MP, who held office
from 1870 until his death in 1874. He was succeeded by a Mr S Powell
from 1874 to 1883, and thereafter his son, Mr F B Greenwood, became
president and reigned from 1883 to 1886, when he died. He was
followed in 1887 by his brother, Captain C S Greenwood, who remained
president up to 1941 - a period of 54 years - a truly remarkable
achievement. During all these years his interest in the welfare of
the hospital was unflagging and we are deeply indebted to him for
his wise counsel and guidance and notably for his generous
benefactions, the chief of many being the free gift of the site,
costing £7,000, on which the hospital now stands.
After his death his son, Colonel John Greenwood, joined the board
of management till his death in 1948. His widow, Mrs M Greenwood,
joined the board of management after the takeover in 1948 and
remains a member of that body and of the house committee of the
hospital.
Such a record is outstanding
and would merit the sub-title of the hospital's being affectionately
known as "The Greenwood Hospital"!
The death occurred in 1942 of Mr William Webb, a member of the
board of management and a well known insurance expert who gave
valuable advice on the hospital insurances. In the following year we
lost by death the services of Mr W T Hamlyn, an ardent supporter of
the hospital. Also is noted the death of Dr Neville Williams at the
age of 95. He was a prominent figure in the early days of the
hospital and served it as medical officer for 25 years.
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