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

Inspection scheme

Another innovation was a scheme for periodic inspection of the hospitals in the Group by members of the House Committee. Every two months, two members of the committee, chosen on a rota basis, make a tour of the hospitals, and note any deficiencies, alterations and urgent needs they consider necessary, and report them to the House Committee. This system is helpful in ensuring the maintenance of the hospitals being kept up to concert pitch so far as financial limitations permit.

Coronation Year, 1953, was duly celebrated at the hospital, the sum of £325 being voted to cover the necessary expenses. As a permanent memorial an arboretum of flowering trees was planted in the field bordering on the Knaresborough Road, and facing the maternity block. In it were placed oak seats, suitably inscribed. Ephemeral celebrations consisted of a special dinner and tea to patients and staff; a staff dance; the hire of television sets in the wards for patients to view the Coronation; three coach tours to the Lake District for the nurses; and two to Blackpool for the maids. All agreed that the day was happily spent.