On passing the Royal Hampshire County Hospital recently, I noticed that the beautiful prunus tree at the end of Ashley Wing had disappeared.

This tree has brightened many a patient and staff’s day when the wards on this wing were used.

I worked as a nursing auxiliary –  i.e. bed pan buffer-up extraordinaire – on Lister Ward for many years and still remember the tree’s beauty and have watched over the following years for its grand show.

Perhaps it sadly had gone past its best or space was needed for another purpose.

I made many friends over those working years along with countless happy and sad happenings. So many memories have popped up again in the old grey matter.

For example, the slope between the wards/huts where porters needed all their strength to pull and push patients on trolleys to and from theatres and wards. Food trolleys full of gastric delights also were transported via this steep hazard.

The grand view from the ward balconies I hope will not disappear for many a year.

Uniforms were white for auxiliaries, green for state-enrolled nurses and white caps. State registered nurses wore navy and white with some beautiful silver belt buckles given by proud families at their graduation.

Ward maids wore pink and some lived in Burrell House. Many workers, doctors and nurses lived near or on site.

My grandmother worked in the laundry goffering the sisters’ caps many years ago. She was threatened with the sack for trying to dry starched aprons quicker by putting them through a wringer.

My dad’s pin-up was Sister Hammersley of Clarke Ward who won nurse of the year. She along with many other devoted ladies nursed many a sick patient back to health.

Maybe Florence with her lamp will now float further afield from the chapel to stir up the beings who need reminding to help not hinder the NHS and our Royal Hampshire County Hospital service once again.

Margaret Grant,

Buriton Road,

Harestock,

Winchester

 

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