29 memories of Portsmouth hospitals and staff over the years
Some of the images in this collection date back to before the NHS was created. Back then patients had to pay for their health care, although treatment could be available at some charitable voluntary hospitals at the time.
By Steve Deeks
Published 25th Feb 2021, 17:50 BST
Updated 14th Aug 2023, 19:50 BST
Good healthcare should be available to all, regardless of wealth it was said. On that ideal the NHS was created in 1948, being launched by the then minister for health Aneurin Bevan.
The Mental Health Act was introduced in 1959, making new plans for the care and treatment of people with mental health problems.
St James's nurse
Sent in by Mrs W. Pearce of Wallis Road Waterlooville, we see her late mother Phyllis Readman who worked at King's, Gleave and Pink Villas. These were large houses in the hospital grounds that housed patients recovering prior to discharge and also permanent patients due to their inability to cope with the outside world. Photo: The News archive
St Marys Hospital ward
Sent in by Dorothy and Jack Price of Stubbington. We see a photo of a ward in St Mary's Hospital decorated as an apple orchard for a competition.
Branches were brought in and visitors were requested to make pink and white flowers which were tied to the branches. Photo: The News archive
Queen Mary visiting Haslar Military Hospital in Portsmouth circa 1917. A flag-lowering ceremony is to be held today to mark the departure of the final commanding officer, Royal Navy Surgeon Captain James Campbell, from the country's last military hospital, the Royal Haslar Hospital (RHH) in Gosport, Hants. The hospital has been providing medical care to the Royal Navy and, more recently, to the Army and RAF and civilians since 1753. Picture: PA Wire. Photo: The News archive
Patricia Bryant taking home her son Mark from Eddystone Maternity Home in May 1963. Mark is held by Matron Scott. Eddystone Maternity Home was located at 24 Festing Road, Southsea Photo: The News archive
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