Annual report : 1942 / Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital.

  • Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital.
Date:
1942
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report : 1942 / Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    2/16 (page 2)
    ANNUAL REPORT. \ The Board of Management has pleasure in presenting its Report, together with Statement of Accounts, for the year ended December 31st 1942. ROYAL VISITORS. The King and Queen visited the wrecked Hospital on February 25th 1942. Their Majesties, who were most sympathetic and clearly distressed to learn of the loss of life and to see the extent of the damage sustained, were very interested in the steps taken to provide alternative accommodation. Later in the year, Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal visited the Hospital and made an extended tour of the wrecked buildings. Her Royal Highness recalled that she had promised to open the new Hospital buildings in October 1939, (this ceremony, however, was cancelled owing to the outbreak of War). HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION. The first of the new two-Ward units at the Keresley Branch Hospital was Completed towards the end of March and was formally opened on April 21st by Sir Alfred Herbert, who was supported by Viscount Nuffield. Lord Leigh, President of the Hospital, presided over the large and distinguished gathering present, which included His Worship the Mayor of Coventry, Councillor A. R. Cxrindlay, Lord Iliffe (a past President), Lady Herbert (a Vice- President), and numerous representatives of the civic and industrial life of the City. The Ceremony was made the occasion for naming a number of Beds and Cots in acknowledge¬ ment of generous sums subscribed to the Appeal Fund. In recognition of the generous donations to the Appeal Fund made by Lord Nuffield and Sir Alfred Herbert, and in appreciation of their continuing very practical interest in the Hospital and its work, the two new Wards were named “ Nuffield Ward ” and “ Alfred Herbert ” Ward. Governors will recall that the “ Nuffield ” and “ Alfred Herbert ” Wards at the Coventry Hospital were destroyed when the Hospital was wrecked by enemy action. On September 30th, the second two-Ward unit was opened by the Mayor of Coventry, Councillor A. R. Grindlay, and on this occasion, also, a number of Beds and Cots were named in acknowledgement of special efforts and contributions towards the Emergency Fund. These two Wards, by resolution of the Board, were afterwards named “ Wyley Ward ” and “ Henry Johnson Ward.” Thus, within a period of 18 months following the destruction of the Hospital build¬ ings in Coventry, alternative accommodation had been provided for 260 out of the 452 in-patient beds previously available, an achievement of which the Citizens of Coventry — who found the necessary funds — and the Hospital Committee, may justly be proud. But additional Hospital accommodation was still necessary — is still necessary — and with adequate funds in hand, application was made for Licence to build a third two Ward