The South Worcestershire Hospital Management Committee
The Worcestershire King Edward VII Sanatorium
History of the Institution from its opening in 1902, to the date of its transference to the Ministry of Health, on the 5th July 1948.
By J.P. Holder, M.B.E.
Forward
I have been asked to write a forward to this short History of the King Edward VII Sanatorium at Knightwick which has been prepared by Mr. J.P. Holder.
It was with some diffidence that I encouraged Mr. Holder to place on record his recollections of the development of the Sanatorium, but there was no one better qualified than he to undertake this task.
He was closely associated with all stages of the Hospital’s development from its very inception until the time the Ministry of Health took over the Hospital in July 1948, and he is still in close contact with all that happens there. This represents a period of valued friendship with patients, staff and Committee, spread over close on half a century.
It is fitting that this lifelong service at the Sanatorium was recognised by His Majesty, the King, who awarded the M.B.E. to Mr Holder, and I think all of us who are associated with Knightwick, either as Members, staff or patients, owe him a debt of gratitude, and I hope we shall be able to continue for many years to look to him for advise.
K.D.Briggs
Chairman
In August, 1892, I was appointed a clerical assistant in the Health Department of the Worcestershire County Council, and I was in that service until my retirement in 1945, a period of 52 years. In that capacity I was requested by the County Medical Officer, the late Mr.G.H.Fosbroke, to prepare statistics on the case and death rates from tuberculosis in Worcestershire: that was in 1900. These statistics were embodied in a report presented to the County Council.
At that time there were four Councillors keenly interested in Health matters, viz. the Chairman (Mr. J.W. Willis Bund), Dr. H.E. Dixey (afterwards Sir Harry Dixey), Sir Douglas Galton, K.C.B., and Col. Henry Howard. On the initiative of these gentlemen the County Council agreed to convene a meeting of representatives of local Sanitary Authorities and individuals interested in the treatment of tuberculosis, to discuss the steps which might be taken to prevent or treat the disease. This confeence was held at the Shirehall, Worcester on the 9th February, 1901, and was addressed by the late Sir James Chrichton Brown.
The result of the Conference was the appointment of a Committee to consider whether or not it was expedient to establish a Sanatorium for the benefit of the inhabitants of Worcestershire.
Worcestershire never had a high mortality from tuberculosis, but from Dr Fosbroke’s report it appeared that the number of deaths in the administrative County in 1900 was 309 (0.8% per 1000 of the population), and the average for the previous 5 years was 297. (The average number of deaths for the ten years ending 1948 was 195).
The Committee, previously mentioned, having decided that a Sanatorium was necessary, started to look for a suitable site – preferably one facing South, and protected from the North and Wast. Lord Cobham was prepared to give some land at Romsley, but Mr. James Dangerfield of Bilston came forward with an offer to let to the County Council for five years, at a peppercorn rent, a House on the Ankerdine Hills with 30 acres of land, and with the option of purchase at the end of the five years.
Judging by the opposition to new Health schemes, the County Council of those days did not look with a friendly eye on further expenditure in this direction and they refused the offer, but said they would give a grant of £300 towards the cost if some other body would accept Mr. Dangerfield’s offer.
Nothing would daunt the enthusiasm of the Committee appointed at the Conference and they decided to form a Voluntary Body to establish and maintain a Sanatorium on the site at Knightwick.
This Committee completed the necessary preliminaries early in 1902, and a public appeal was issued for donations to build a Sanatorium of 16 beds (eight for men and eight for women) together with the necessary alterations to the existing House. The result of the Appeal was completely successful and the Committee entrusted the planning to Mr. H. P. Maybury, Surveyor to the Malvern Urban District Council who did the work without fee. Mr Maybury later became General Sir Henry Maybury who during the first world war was known as “the road-maker”.
The sanatorium is situated near to the top of the Ankerdine Hills, 300 feet above sea level. It is 1¼ miles from Knightwick Station and 9 miles from Worcester. Geologically it is on the upper Silurian series with beds of May Hill sandstone running underneath: it is therefore very dry.
The House which was made into an administration block, stands in its own grounds of about 30 acres, part of which is orcharding. Some 100 feet north of the House is a coach house and stabling which was then used as an engine and dynamo room, with a loft over it for batteries. Close to the road is a substantial lodge. A septic tank was provided in the grounds, and at a much higher level a well was sunk into the May Hill sandstone. A windmill was provided to pump water to a storage tank at a sufficient elevation to govern the water supply to the House. The grounds were laid out with paths, drives and a tennis court. In the grounds were about 1000 fruit trees.
The Sanatorium was opened by the Countess Beauchamp on the 17th November, 1902, and the first patient admitted a few days later. It is of interest to note that this first patient after six months treatment became our Engineer, later he held a similar post at Salterley Grange, Cheltenham and lived to a ripe age. This patient had a positive sputum.
Among the members of the first Committee were the six Trustees mentioned later, together with Mr. James Ashwin, General Davies, Mr. C. Pelham Lane, Mr. Job Leadbetter, Rev. W.H.R. Longhurst, Mrs Geoffrey New, Mr. Robert Woodward, Sir Henry Urwick, and Mr G.W. Hobson.
A medical selection Committee cinsisting of Dr. G.W. Browe, Dr. Mabyn Read, Dr. H.E.Dixey, Dr. G.H. Fosbroke who examines cases before admission. The object was to ensure, as far as possible, that in all the admitted cases, there was a reasonable prospect of recovery.
It should be emphasised that the Sanatorium was designed and equipped as a Sanatorium for early cases, and was never intended to be used, as it is to-day, as a Chest Hospital.
To have a Committee to select early cases sounds admirable, but in practice it did not work out so well, for as will be seen later on, certain beds were “endowed” and the Owners of the rights to these beds did not remain silent when he or she had to be told (by me) that the particular cases were “advanced” and could not be admitted.
Many of them asked “What they were paying £75 per annum for”?, and it usually ended in the case being admitted. Thus early in our existence did the complaint of “too many advanced cases” begin, and it has never ceased. Bearing on this subject of advanced cases, I have for many years protested against the admission of so many of this type of case. The Sanatorium and its cubicles are unheated; few of the cubicles have any windows or doors, and at all times the patients are living an open-air life. Our trouble with advanced cases is when baths or a blanket bath is necessary. It is no wonder that in frosty weather patients refuse to take them.
It will be realised that the administration of the Sanatorium, even though a small unit of 16 beds, meant a good deal of secretarial and financial work for someone; no clerical assistance could be given by the County Council staff as the Council had refused to take over the Institution, and I could not do any work for the Sanatorium in my official hours of duty at the Shirehall.
I well remember the Chairman of the Sanatorium Committee calling at my office one day in 1902 and saying with a meaning look in his eye, that the time had come when the Institution must have a recognised Secretary. He added “the only reward we can offer is plenty of work, and our grateful thanks”. It was on those terms that I was appointed Secretary as from 1st January 1902, and I retained the position until the 5th July 1948.
How we got the money to administer the Sanatorium.
In and around 1902, the Government left to local authorities the problem of fighting disease and of finding the money to do so. Grants in aid of such expenditure did not come until some 15 years later.
Our scheme provided for the division of the County into Districts, each with a Committee. These Committees enlisted sympathisers to assist by collecting donations. The scheme worked well and we had such Committees at:-
Droitwich (local secretaries, lady Georgina Vernon and Miss Lucy Hingley)
Oldbury (Mr Charles Tomlinson and Mr C Smith)
Redditch (Col. C.F. Milward)
Evesham (Mrs James Ashwin)
Upton on Severn (Miss Bromley Martin)
Malvern ( Dr H.E. Dixey)
The Worcester District of Oddfellows took a keen interest in our work and raised sufficient money to enable them to reserve from two to four beds for their members.
Our scheme provided that for each £75 per annum subscribed, one bed would be reserved annually for the use of patients to be nominated by the Subscribers.
From a financial aspect this was admirable and from 1902 until the advent of the second world war, we were able to keep out of debt.
In 1905 the Governors and Subscribers felt that the value of the Sanatorium had been proved, and that it was work that should be continued. They therefore made an appeal for funds to complete the purchase. The purchase price £6000, was promptly forthcoming and the property was then vested in six Trustees, viz:
The Viscount Cobham Dr. H.E. Dixey
Mr. J.W. Willis Bund Mr. William Albright
Col. Henry Howard Mr. Edward Chance.
(Note. The names of the Trustees when the Sanatorium was taken over in 1948 were:-
The Viscount Cobham K.C.B.
Robert Hill Esq., Kidderminster
Miss Evelyn Dixey, Malvern
Dr F.W.J. Coaker, Dulverton, Somerset
The Trust Deed, Titles and other documents have been handed to Mr. J.S. Rippier the Secretary of the H.M.C. )
Extension of the Sanatorium
Although we have added a few Chalets to our 16 beds during the first 10 years we were sorely distressed at the ever increasing waiting list of patients desiring admission and this list grew larger still when in 1912, compulsory notification of Tuberculosis came into operation. We needed a capital sum of £12,000 to £16,000 to increase the Sanatorium to 80 beds, and the problem was, how to raise the money which was a large sum in those days.
We were well aware that there existed a County Fund to commemorate the reign of King Edward VII and after a good deal of heartburning, it was agreed that the Knightwick Sanatorium should become the Memorial and should be extended to 80 beds. This gave us a sum of nearly £5,000.
The Ministry of Health were then tackled and eventually they gave a grant of £5,000. As another £3,000 was available from individual subscribers we went ahead with the new scheme and the extended Sanatorium was opened by Mrs. Dixey on the 15th July, 1915.
We also received a letter from the Home Office dated 2nd August, 1915, stating that ‘His majesty King George V had been graciously pleased to approve of the building being known as the “Worcestershire King Edward VII Sanatorium”.’ When we received the grant from the Ministry – and it was far more difficult to get money from them in 1915 than in 1950 – we had to enter into an Agreement containing many restrictions, but that Agreement expired in 1935 and can be forgotten.
We had some anxiety as to where the money for maintenance was to come from, but this was solved by the County and City Councils entering into agreements to reserve most of the new beds at a fixed rate per week. When the extensions were complete, we had 86 beds and in 1945 we added 6 more chalets, so that on the “appointed day”, our beddage was 92, 50 men and 42 women.
I get worried
While I rejoiced in the extension of the Sanatorium, I found it necessary to burn the midnight oil in order to keep pace with the extra work involved, and I suggested to the Chairman that the time had come for the appointment of a whole-time Secretary and that I should relinquish the work. The Chairman and Committee, however, seemed very anxious that I should carry on, and eventually they paid an assistant to do the “donkey work” for me, and so by providing a small office at my own Home, I was able to carry on until the “Appointed Day”.
Work for Patients
In earlier times patients were encouraged, as soon as they were considered fit, to undertake light manual work as part of their treatment. Many of the hurdles on the estate were made by the male patients. Often we worked on the lines of Mr. Squeers; a painter by trade was put to paint the Pavilions, a Carpenter worked in the open air workshop, a mechanic found plenty of mechanical jobs to be done, and the women mopped out their own cubicles. As far back as 1905 the following paragraph appeared in the annual report of our Medical Superintendent, Dr. Gordon Smith – “I am pleased to report that during the past year patients have done a lot of useful work in the grounds, laying out a bowling green, turfing the edges of paths, digging the kitchen garden, mowing and rolling lawns, grease banding trees etc., and I am sure most of them will agree they felt better for it”.
It would be out of place for me to express any opinion on this matter, but I do hope that in the near future the question of regulated work for patients, as part of their treatment, may receive consideration. In 1944 the Ministry of Health asked that educational courses should be made available for patients likely to be detained in Hospital for long periods as they considered that in addition to its educational value, a course a study of craft work would materially assist recovery and remove that sense of frustration which prolonged inactivity may entail. Patients have for many years been encouraged to take up Handicraft work, and most of them do so. Handicraft Teacher attends weekly to give instruction to the patients.
Tuberculosis Exhibition
In an endeavour to stimulate interest in our work, we arranged with the National Association for the prevention of Tuberculosis to send their Exhibition to Worcester for one week in June 1909. Interest certainly was aroused and the number of visitors ran into many thousands. On one afternoon, however, the enthusiasm of one official nearly caused a riot. In order that the public might see what Tuberculous meat looked like, some condemned carcases were obtained through the City Health Department and exhibited in the side entrance of the Public Hall. Unfortunately this coincided with a heat wave, and the “aroma” was so ghastly that neighbouring shopkeepers complained and impending visitors turned their backs and fled. A hurried S.O.S. to the City Sanitary Inspector soon got rid of the offending carcases and peace was restored.
Admission of Children
For many years we admitted children but there was difficulty with the Education Authorities over marking the attendance at our “school” so that the local authority could claim the Government Grant. We had a small schoolroom and employed a Teacher. When, however, Miss Severn Burrow opened the Malvern Air School we were glad to be rid of the children, few of whom were definite cases.
Laundry
In 1915 a reasonably complete laundry was provided, but of late years it has been found to be quite inadequate, owing to increase of numbers of patients and staff. Also the type of machinery supplied in 1915 is now out of date. The Hospital Committee have plans to modernise the Laundry, and on many grounds it seems desirable that the laundry work of a Sanatorium should be carried out on the premises.
Drainage
This is disposed of by means of a septic tank installed half way down the Hill, and the effluent after treatment, finds its way to the River Teme. This plant was installed in 1915 and while efficient then, it has, by reason of the increase in the population of the Sanatorium, become too small. This matter also is under the consideration of the new Hospital Management Committee.
Electricity
This is supplied by the Midlands Electricity Board whose transformer is erected on Sanatorium property. It is of sufficient capacity to meet all our needs. Our consumption of electricity is on the heavy side, but this is to be expected with the introduction of so many electrical labour saving devises in the kitchen, wards and elsewhere. One House in the neighbourhood is supplied from our transformer and the owner pays the Sanatorium 4/- per annum for Wayleaves.
X-Ray Plant
The Institution possesses an efficient apparatus provided in 1937 out of money given by the Thos. Corbett Charity. Although 12 years old it is quiet efficient and meets our needs. The apparatus is in charge of Dr Cronin who uses it daily.
Waterworks
When the Sanatorium was extended in 1915, the old well was incapable of providing sufficient water and the Governors arranged for water to be taken from the River Teme (which runs through our Grounds) with sand filtration and chlorination. With our increased population our former tank which held a seven day storage, can now only provide for four days storage. This matter is receiving attention from the Management Committee and it is one which in my opinion should receive top priority. It must be recorded that the storage tank was erected on Common land, as that was the only available site, but no permission was obtained.
The rising main is necessarily laid on sloping ground and trouble even now arises from slight landslides disturbing the joints causing leakage of water.
Library
The Sanatorium has for many years had its own Library. It possesses a large number of books to suit every taste. A Library is particularly needed at an Institution where the patients spend so much time in bed.
Transport
In 1902 there were few motor cars and patients were brought from the local station in a horse drawn vehicle. I used to ride from Worcester on a bicycle, and having to push up the steep Ankerdine Hill on a summer’s day was no joke. Many things have altered at Knightwick during the last 50 years, but that 1 in 5 gradient is still there. My first ride in a motor car was in 1904.
Our Medical Superintendent has recently purchased a car and being still in the flush of “pride of possession” invited me to ride back with him to Worcester. All went well until half way to the city when the contraption broke down and I had to walk five miles home. During the last 6 or 7 years the nurses and domestic helpers have been given free transport to Worcester on their off duty times. This was not practicable in the old days, but to-day some such arrangement is essential as the Sanatorium is in an isolated position – nine miles from anywhere – and unless the modern girl is given scope for recreation and amusement she finds Knightwick too dull. Many of our daily workers come from Worcester and transport has to be provided between their homes and the institution.
Recreation for Patients
In 1934, through the good offices of the late Viscount Cobham, the Thos Corbett Charity provided a sum of £2,000 to provide additional accommodation. With this grant, a new permanent pavilion with six beds was provided with a Recreation Room. The latter is roomy and accommodates a billiards table. At the west end a stage is provided. The room is also used for a religious service every Sunday. We have an appointed Chaplain, and Ministers of all denominations are welcome at the Sanatorium. The Sanatorium has its own cinema and frequent concerts, whist drives, lectures etc., are arranged. Fortunately our Medical Superintendent Dr. R. Cronin has a “flair for mechanics”, and he acts as our cinema operator.
Treatment
The treatment of patients was very different 48 years ago from what it is to-day. For our first two years “force feeding” was in operation which meant that the patients were forces to eat huge meals which many of them did not want. The gain in weight was abnormal but this system was soon superseded by a more rational one. Some of the patients who objected to overfeeding resorted to subterfuge. One dodge was to encourage the Sanatorium dog – a huge Mastiff named Rajah – to come to the dining room at meal times and he had no objection to help to clear the plates. Another dodge was to keep a supply of envelopes into which unwanted meat was put, and thrown away at the first opportunity.
Treatment sidelines
During the 48 years of our existence many claims have been put forward for the cure of Tuberculosis. All reasonable claims have been tried. Very few of these “sidelines” gave any permanent benefit and were soon forgotten, and through the past years, as to-day, the Sanatorium remains the backbone of treatment.
One claim we did try – some 30 years ago a sensation was caused by a claim that patients were being cured by breathing the air in a room which contained thousands of maggots. This was started in a North Midlands County. This “Maggatorium” claim was taken seriously and many patients took the treatment, but it fizzled out when the Ministry of Health informed Local Authorities that no money must be spent out of the rates on this so-called cure.
Results of Treatment 1903 to 1913
The first year the Sanatorium was opened I was warned never to use the word “cured” in connection with a patient. The only permissible words were “arrested” or “quiescent”. It was considered then, and probably now, that though a patient might appear restored to health, return to normal work, and live to a ripe old age, he could never be considered cured in the ordinary sense of the word. When therefore I was required to give the results of treatment and show what benefit the patients had received, I was in a quandary. I bowed to medical opinion, but clearly our subscription list would suffer unless I could show that the Sanatorium was giving the patients and subscribers some return for treatment and money.
Finally I decided to circularise every patient annually and find out what had happened to them after discharge. This enabled me to show how many had returned to work or otherwise. The results for the first ten years are given below:-
Early cases
Total At Work At home Dead No trace
M 129 5 40 23
349 F 81 20 14 37
Intermediate cases
M 19 9 90 13
218 F 23 6 39 19
Advanced cases
M 11 2 53 2
106 F 3 5 29 1
From and after 1914 the County Council began to be concerned with treatment and so my circular letter ended. For results of treatment we were content to be guided by the slowly falling national death rate. If these figures should be of interest, it should be remembered that in those days there were few facilities for ascertaining whether or not T.B. was present in the sputum.
When giving these results in our annual reports I used to quote from the letters of patients which contained matters likely to be of interest. One such letter read:- “Thank you for asking how I am going on. Well, I can do a good days work. I eat well, I sleep well, I haven’t any worries, and I lives next door to a Brewery. What more can a man want?”.
Echo answers, “What indeed”.
Aftercare of patients
Not more than two years had elapsed after the Sanatorium was opened than we became conscious that a period of treatment at the Sanatorium was not the end of our work and that a serious effort must be made to get funds to assist certain patients on their return home.
In 1905 we established an “After Care Fund” which enabled us to make grants in kind to former patients who were in need of extra food, or cloths and sometimes we helped with the rent. Money came in very well for this work which was continued until the County Council were given a statutory duty to take over these functions.
Average Stay of Patients
During the first ten years of our existence the average length of time each patient was under treatment was 124 days. During the ten years ended 1947 the corresponding figure was 240 days. During the last ten years, however, some patients are resident for 2 or 3 years.
A reunion of old Patients
In June 1938 with the zealous co-operation of Harold Wale of Worcester, an ex patient, I invited former patients to a reunion at the Sanatorium. The qualification for attendance was that a period of twenty years must have elapsed since discharge, from Knightwick. Fifty nine patients made their way to the Sanatorium where they were warmly welcomed. Many letters of apology for absence were received chiefly owing to the difficulty of getting to Knightwick. Even from the Colonies came letters from former patients who left the Sanatorium twenty years or more before.
The use of the grounds
Much of the 30 acres is orcharding, chiefly cherries and damsons. Several acres are devoted to vegetable gardens and a great deal of fruit and vegetables go into the Institution for the use of the patients and staff. Cattle are bought in Spring, grazed and sold in the Autumn at a profit. A small Pigkeepers association has been formed which enables us to kill ten pigs annually. This extra bacon on our rations is most valuable in the Dietary. On the Estate are two cottages, one tenanted by our Bailiff (P.J.Perkins) who has been with us for 30 years; the other cottage is used to accommodate some of our male orderlies. At the lodge just inside the entrance gates lives the Head gardener (E Daniel) who has over 20 years service to his credit.
Mention of the Farm inevitably recalls the name of our good friend Mr George Ballard late of Eardiston. His practical advise was of immense value to the Governors and like so many of our friends he was ever ready to call at the Sanatorium and help us with farming matters when we were in need of help.
Transport of Hot Meals from Kitchen to Patients
It seems curious to me that until the last ten years this question gave rise to no particular anxiety. It is a long walk from the kitchens to the respective pavilions, but for many years, and in all weathers, I have met the maids cheerfully carrying heavy trays of food and it reached the patients hot and palatable. At that time there was no eight hour day and the main object of the staff – nursing and domestic 0 was the welfare of the patients, no matter how many hours of duty were performed. For the last ten years, however, this question of getting meals to the patients and keeping the foot hot has become a “nightmare”.
The kitchen has been altered to provide double doors into which is backed an automotive truck; this truck is loaded with hot containers which are then speedily conveyed to patients in the respective pavilions. Occasionally we get an unlucky day when something goes wrong, but generally speaking the system works well, and when the already approved scheme foe hot plates on each ward is in operation, I think any trouble in this direction should be over.
On the general question of staff, I can feel a distinct change in mental attitude. The old spirit of service before self seems to have vanished; there is too much notice taken of the progress of the clock. I am well aware that there are a few exceptions, and that this change is not confined to Knightwick, but an old man notices these changes, and to my mind, they are not for the better.
Dietary
Until 1940 this subject caused no difficulties as there was plenty of food and all the variety needed, but when rationing started, dietary became a major problem. Apart from milk, patients in the Sanatorium have little more than civilian rations. The meat ration has been supplemented by rabbits, poultry and “Offal”, largely through the efforts of the Chairman, Mr K.D.Briggs, but our greatest worry is how to introduce sufficient variety into the meals. We had a visit from a Dietitian attached to the Ministry of Health who made many useful suggestions, but few could be adopted as we had no one in the kitchens capable of following her advise. Much has, and is, being done in this direction, and the Matron, Miss New is keen to assist. Speaking generally and from personal knowledge, I feel no hesitation in saying that, to my mind, there is not much wrong with either the quality, the quantity, or variety in reference to meals.
It is interesting to see from Dr. Cronin’s reports that on comparing the pre-war period and the rationed periods, there has been no loss in the average gain in weight by patients under treatment.
Storage of Food
With the need for economy in administration ever present, we originally stored food in a wooden cupboard in the open air just outside the kitchens, which have a north aspect, but in 1930 we found ourselves with sufficient money to purchase a refrigerator. This behaved curiously during the first 12 months, functioning perfectly in cold weather, but going out of action when Summer approached. Eventually a thorough overhaul revealed a defect which when remedied, solved the difficulty. Within the last 12 months the Hospital Committee have doubled the refrigeration space much to the satisfaction of the Matron and Cook.
Complaints by Patients
We have never been entirely free from complaints of some description; in fact it seems to me that to complain, is one of the ever present symptoms of Tuberculosis. The Governors had a hard and fast rule that any complaint by a patient should be investigated with the least possible delay, and if remedial action was considered necessary this was put in hand at once. Fr many years now we have encouraged the existence of a “Patients Committee”; this Committee is quite independent, and it refers to the Doctor or Matron ant matter which seems to need inquiry. The Committee is also asked to consider any individual complaint before it comes to official notice, and often they settle the matter amongst themselves.
When one considers the disability of the patients, I should not say that they usually give unnecessary trouble.
Landslides
Some 15 years ago we had a shock, as the ground in front of the administrative block began to move slowly down the Hill, part of the lower lawns disappeared altogether and things got so bad that I had visions of arriving some afternoon and finding both Sanatorium and patients in the River Teme. Enquiry elicited that these landslides were due to storm water running down the steep Hill, and after steps had been taken to divert this water away from the Sanatorium grounds, no further trouble occurred until the unusually heavy snow of four years ago.
After the Winter’s thaw, further ominous cracks were discovered, but nothing has happened since then to cause concern. The upper Men’s Pavilion was the part most affected and a part of this Pavilion has had to be put out of use. In 1931 the Governors requested me to insure the Institution against earthquake shocks, but while the Sanatorium has suffered shocks of varied descriptions, we have never suffered damage from earth tremors. We did have one shock during the last world war when a German bomber dropped a land mine less than half a mile from the Institution. We had many broken window panes and lost hundreds of tiles from the roofs. For this damage, we claimed and received compensation from the War Damage Commission.
Rights of Way
It should be recorded that in the Sanatorium grounds there exists a public right of way down a narrow lane to the immediate left of the entrance gates. Fifty yards down this narrow lane is a parish pump which is often resorted to by the local inhabitants, but the right of way extends beyond the pump and down the Hill.
There is another public right of way from the main road, immediately above the women’s upper pavilion but it has so overgrown during the last 40 years that I doubt if it can now be found.
Along our lower meadow, near the River Teme, a right of way (determinable) was granted to Mr Lawson Walker some 30 years ago. The legal deed is in the hands of Mr Rippier.
Visitors
Visiting days are Thursday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 3 to 5 pm. The only trouble with visitors is that they will bring extra food for patients. We don’t mind a few extra eggs or butter, but too often other things are given patients which would not be permitted in the official dietary. The Chairman recently addressed a personal letter to each patient, asking for co-operation in this matter of observing the rules, but while it will do good for a time, human nature will assert itself and the little “tit-bits” from home will be coming along as usual. The staff try to see that the rules are observed, but they have little opportunity to catch patients napping as they usually have a scout on duty to give warning when a nurse approaches.
Friends of the Sanatorium
For many years we were fortunate to have a party of local ladies who acted as a sewing Guild and gave most useful service, contributing not only gifts in kind but also making grants in special cases out of their funds. Action by the Government being uncertain, the “Linen Guild” was disbanded, but the ladies reformed themselves into the “Friends of the Sanatorium”. Any funds they raise are their own property. Much hlp is given to the Sanatorium and the Matron.
Finance
For the first ten years of our existence the weekly cost per patient bed was 30/- and not until 1940 did the cost exceed 40/-. We had, of course, the benefit of having no loan charges as all capital expenditure had always been met out of revenue. On the Appointed Day our total deficit was under £10,000 and we handed over property worth at least £50,000. On the other hand must be placed the fact that many much needed improvements had been deferred for three essential reasons. 1) the effects of the second world war, 2) the report of the Surveyors of the Nuffield Trust which recommended that the Sanatorium should be closed, and 3) the position of the Trustees who were liable for debts or overdrafts should the Institution cease to function. These three reasons I was obliged to put forward when our good friend, Mr. K.D. Briggs, in 1947 and 1947, pleaded earnestly for certain essential improvements to be put in hand forthwith. Some of these improvements have already been carried out by the new Hospital Management Committee.
Legacies
Between 1903 and 1947 the Sanatorium received the following legacies:-
1906 Mrs Hannah Finnie, Malvern £1,000
1911 Mr. E.H. Hill, Broadwas £3,000
1918 Sir Geo. Hingley, Droitwich £ 500
1931 Mrs Burlingham, Evesham £ 100
1934 The Thos. Corbett Charity £2,000
1935 Mrs Hannah Guy, Malvern £ 500
1939 The Thos. Corbett Charity £ 900
1943 The Thos. Corbett Charity £ 300
All this money was spent in improving the Institution
Salaries and wages 50 years ago
As a matter of interest only, and certainly not for comparative purposes, the salaries and wages paid in our very early days are given below:-
Resident Medical Officer £100 p.a.
Matron £ 52 p.a.
Nurses £ 20 to £25 p.a.
Domestics £ 12 to £16 p.a.
Foreign Labour
I never expected to live to see the Institution employ so many nationalities, French, Swiss, German, Poles, Latvians, Estonians. They are generally good workers, but – Oh dear, what a change to 50 years ago.
Officers of the Sanatorium
President 1902 to 1929 Mr. J.W. Willie Bund
- Col, E.V.V. Wheeler
1930 to 1948 Viscount Cobham
Chairman of Governors
1902 to 1926 Sir Harry Dixey, Malvern
1926 to 1947 Dr F.W.J. Coaker
1947 to 1948 Mr Robert Hill, Kidderminster
Few Institutions can have been so fortunate in their Chairmen. Sir Harry Dixey was one of the Founders and held office for nearly a quarter of a century. Dr Coaker who followed was a tower of strength with his vast administrative experience and common sense administration. Mr Robert Hill, our last Chairman, was always ready to visit the Sanatorium and no trouble was too much if he could help either patients or staff.
Medical Superintendent
1902 Dr. A Stanley Parkinson
- Dr. Brodie Brodie
1904 – 1907 Dr. J.H. Greensill
1908 – 1939 Dr. H Gordon Smith
- Dr. H James (temporary)
- Dr. R.C. Cronin
Matron
- Miss Balfour Hope
1904 – 1907 Mrs Greensill
1908 – 1945 Mrs Gordon Smith
- Miss H.A. New
Hon. Treasurer
- Mr. A.C. Cherry
- Mr. G.W. Nicholls
- Mr. R.A. Pace
- Mr. H.T. Stephens
Secretary 1902 – 1948 Mr. J.P. Holder
Auditors 1903 – 1948 H.A. Leicester and Co. Worcester.
Dr. and Mrs H. Gordon Smith
No history of the Sanatorium would be complete without reference to Dr. and Mrs. Gordon Smith, who acted as Medical Superintendent and Matron respectively from 1909 to 1945. Dr. Gordon Smith died in harness in 1939, but Mrs. Gordon Smith stayed with us until the end of the second world war.
The Sanatorium has, I feel, had a successful existence, and if that is agreed, then I am certain that the success was due to the lifelong services of these two officers. Mrs Gordon Smith was a fine administrator and had a genius for organisation. To me personally she was a “boon and a blessing”.
Of Dr. Gordon Smith, I quote a letter received from a patient:- “Though I cannot be present when his mortal remains are laid to rest, I want these poor broken expressions of appreciation to be a flower to be dropped sorrowfully but unobtrusively into his grave, for when he is laid to rest, Mother Earth will take into her bosom one of the gentlest, tenderest, and noblest souls that ever graced the medical profession”.
Mrs Gordon Smith died in June 1950, and it was with sad hearts that many of the long service members of the Sanatorium staff attended the funeral ceremony at Eckington.
New Friends
In the early part of these ramblings, I referred to the old friends of 50 years ago with whom I worked, all of whom have passed away. I want now to refer to “new” friends who have carried on the work of the Sanatorium during the last 15 to 20 years. These new friends have been just as interested in the welfare of the Institution as the old ones, and indeed have kept the Institution going through much more difficult and trying times than those prior to the first world war.
Some of the names are given below and we are all grateful to them for their good work and ready help:-
Mr. K.D. Briggs Mr. H.T. Stephens
Dr. Wyndham Parker Miss Evelyn Dixey
Mr. Geo. Ballard Dr. A.J.B. Griffin
Mr. Robert Hill Mr. Charles Terry
Miss A.N. Glew
I should like to add here that we are fortunate in our Medical Superintendent (Dr. R.C. Cronin) and Matron (Miss H.A. New). So long as they are in charge, I have no fears for the welfare of the Institution and the patients.
Annual Reports
Each year since 1902 an annual report on the work of the Sanatorium has been printed and submitted to meetings of Subscribers. These reports also contain the Minutes of each Annual Meeting, and copies of the audited accounts.
Photographs
A photograph of the original Sanatorium when it was opened in 1902 is hung in the maids dining room. No comprehensive view of the existing institution is available as there is no spot from which the whole of the buildings can be seen at any one time. Other individual photographs are shown in the various reports. The whole series of reports have been handed to Mr Rippier.
Cats and Mice
Is there, I wonder, any other Sanatorium where so many cats can be seen as at Knightwick. At any time of the day at least a dozen will be seen. Many of them are pets of the patients. In addition there are a number of wild cats living in the adjacent woods. One advantage is that we are little troubled with mice, in fact I should think it probable that in the “mice world”, the Sanatorium is scheduled as a dangerous area.
A great Compliment
When the Government took over the Sanatorium I expected to retire and hand over my work to the new Committee, and I felt it to be the greatest compliment ever paid to me when I received a letter from Mr. Rippier to the effect that the Hospital Committee invited me to continue my weekly visits for as long as I felt able. I admit that after going to the Sanatorium every week for 48 years, my life would have felt empty had I no longer been able to retain an interest in its work. It has been particularly pleasing to me to find the new Committee and its officers so keenly alive to the interests of the Institution, and I hope to live a few years longer to see the many and much needed improvements carried into effect.
Before the Appointed Day, I feared that the administration would become mechanical and that the personal touch and human element might vanish. This doubt is with me no longer, and I gratefully acknowledge the attention which Professor Barling, Mr. K.D. Briggs and the officers of the Committee give to any suggestion I may make.
In conclusion
Over 48 years we can look back on a successful history, feeling that a voluntary sanatorium still has its own vitality.
The history of Knightwick shows a most happy liaison with the County Council and the general public, and has preserved throughout, the voluntary spirit with which we started out so hopefully nearly half a century ago.
Whatever the future may bring, it can make no difference to our feeling of pride that Knightwick Sanatorium was one of the first centres in England of the anti-tuberculosis campaign.
12, Beech Avenue,
Worcester.
May, 1950. |
©peh
