Builth Cottage Hospital, A Centenary History 1897-1997, by Gwen Davies
Foreword | Acknowledgements | Prologue Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6
Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 |
Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Epilogue
The League of Hospital Friends, by Betts Pugh
Builth, Queen of the Wye, by Jim Davies
Epilogue
One hundred years have passed since that historic day, 27th October
1897, when the doors of Builth Cottage Hospital were opened for
the first time. Those who live in the catchment area of Builth
Hospital should, perhaps for a moment, pause and think back with
gratitude, for all those who, for the past century, have by their
efforts and commitment made possible the “haven on the hill” which
we sometimes take for granted.
We can think of the philanthropist, John Davies, whose vision
inspired those two shy spinster ladies, Margaret and Elizabeth
Powell, to carry out his wishes. We can remember those pioneering
gentleman who formed the first committee and, by taking up the
challenge and the giving of their endless time, effort and money,
made possible the building of the hospital encountering many setbacks
on the way.
Older residents will recall those giants among medical men, who
with their towering talent and without the aid of modern
technology performed near miraculous operations.
We can remember the Matrons, each one stamping her own particular
personality on the hospital and leaving it with an added dimension.
We should not forget the “invisible army” of workers
behind the scenes; the domestic helpers, the cooks and cleaners,
the porters and gardeners, the boilerman and laundry workers. All
these have been and still are, an essential element in the smooth
working of a hospital, without whom the “front men” would
be unable to operate.
Comparisons are said to be odious, but it is inevitable that,
in looking back over the past 100 years, one would compare the
early days with those of the present time and consider how the
hospital has grown and adapted to meet the needs of the people
it serves. The
changing face of any area dictates the direction which its institutions
have to take. Builth Cottage Hospital has met this challenge
with courage and focused its services to meet present day
requirements for an altered population.
For example:
In 1899 – 29 patients received treatment
In 1938 – 206 patients were treated. 97 operations
undertaken and 96 X-rays taken.
In 1996/7 – 711 patients were treated, 87 maternity cases,
1,966 out patients, 1,722 X-rays taken, 4,689 casualties treated
and 468 minor procedures.
The hospital holds thirteen different types of out patient clinics,
and provides a wide range of community services including dentist,
chiropody, health visiting, speech therapy, community nursing and
mental health care. Most importantly it enables elderly people
to receive excellent medical care performed with kindness without
condescension, from professional nurses whom they know and attended
by their own doctors in their own locality.
The second hundred years in the life of the Builth Cottage Hospital
is about to begin. The Friends of the Hospital are already
discussing the updating of the Casualty Department, and they
are quietly determined that the third phase of the plan proposed
by the Health Authority, i.e. a day hospital, will eventually be
realised.
Dr Roger Harriss has decided to take things a little easier and
is now semi-retired, not giving up altogether but working in tandem
with Dr Terry Watson on a part time basis. Dr Harriss, the
most caring of doctors, came to the practice in 1974 and will always
be remembered for his meticulous, thorough and scrupulous attention
to detail when examining a patient. When attending his surgery
each patient has his undivided attention for as long as he considered
necessary and his devotion to his calling was, and still is, appreciated
by his patients. Dr R B Walters, a young doctor who has joined
the practice as successor to Dr Harris, will be carrying on the
long standing tradition of outstanding medical practitioners who
have served the people of Builth and district for a century.
With everyone at Builth Hospital poised to embark upon its second
century, confident in the knowledge that they are providing the
community with the very highest standard of medical care, it is
extremely distressing to record that in August 1997, the prospect
of closure has been resurrected with the news that the Welsh Office
will not be honouring its clearly understood promise to inject
additional money into the NHS in Wales. This has come as
a serious setback to all those concerned with medical and community
care in the vulnerable, rural areas. The Dyfed/Powys Health
Authority and the Powys Health Care NHS Trust will again have to
review its services in these areas.
Builth Cottage Hospital is a treasured possession, part of the
fabric of the town, built, financed and nurtured by its own people.
The very walls retain a hundred years of history of this rural
community and can echo the tears of joy when a longed for baby
is born and tears of grief as a loved one dies.
Builth Hospital is there because of the commitment and loyalty
of all the people in its catchment area who have, for a hundred
years given it their unceasing support both financially and materially
to an almost unbelievable degree. It is everyone’s
fervent wish that those in authority, who hold its destiny in their
hands, will be guided to find the solution to ensure that this,
most precious asset, will be saved for future generations.
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