By Wilfrid Edgecombe, M.D., F.R.C.P., F.R.C.S.
The history of the Harrogate and District General
Hospital
" From a visitor . . ."
A subscription list was opened. It contained one curious item
from a visitor, the amount of "four shillings and eightpence
halfpenny." And a donation of eight pairs of sheets was recorded
from a Manchester visitor. At the same time as the list was opened,
the institution of church collections was advocated. The only
administrative events were the retirement of Mr Ackrill as honorary
secretary, and the appointment of Mr Carr to that office.
The hospital was formally opened on September 8th, 1870, and
though nothing of moment occurred in 1871, by the end of 1872 it was
apparent that the hospital was too small to meet requirements. So on
the proposal of Major Greenwood a small committee was appointed to
consider possible extension, and in their report they recommended
the purchase of the property in Avenue Road - known subsequently as
the Masonic Hall, at a cost of £550. This purchase was effected the
hospital transferred there in 1873, and the number of beds increased
to twelve.
The figures for 1870-73 show that there were 98 in-patients, and
that 355 minor operations were performed. The revenue amounted to
£481 and the expenses to £439, leaving a balance of £42.
The next recorded event was, sadly, in 1874. of the death of the
President, Major Greenwood, and the appointment in his stead of Mr S
Powell. From then until 1877 there is nothing unusual recorded in
the somewhat sketchy minutes except that in 1876 it was decided to
abolish all charges to patients save in unusual cases.
Then, in 1878, occurred the deaths of the honorary secretary, Mr
R Carr, and the honorary medical officer, Dr Loy. They were
succeeded respectively by Mr J Hopkinson and Dr Hartley. The matron
Miss Long resigned after eight years' service and Miss J Whittock
replaced her.
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