The Friends of Gorseinon & Garngoch Hospitals
Association
By
Brenda Davies
In 1927, the first clod was
cut at Gorseinon Hospital by William Rufus Lewis JP, the benefactor of
Gorseinon. This opened on 27th March, 1930, the Matron was Miss Jane
Thomas, and Deputy Matron, Miss R. I. Phillips, who as most people remember,
was later promoted to Matron and served this community for many years.
During the time from 1930 –
1948, a Gorseinon Hospital Entertainments Committee was formed, and people were
appointed to this committee from all different walks of life, the sole purpose
being, to provide for the patients and staff of the Hospital. Ladies formed a
linen Guild, and provided linen for the wards. Local people donated beds,
armchairs, curtains and toys for the Childrens’ Ward. (Does anyone remember the
rocking horse at the hospital ?)
A difficult thing to
understand in this day and age is that the Surgeons were not paid for the work
they carried out at the Hospital, but were given and Honorarium, and were thus
titled Honorary Surgeons to the Hospital.
In 1948, the Health Service
was nationalised, therefore all hospitals became part of the state. The old
entertainments committee now came to an end, as their constitution only covered
a “Private Type” Hospital which Gorseinon was, having been donated by Rufus
Lewis and being maintained by private patronage.
In 1949 “The Friends of
Gorseinon and Garngoch Hospitals Association” was formed by a small nucleus of
people, some who had been members of the Old Entertainments Committee, and
others who were now members of the newly formed “Glantawe Hospital Board” which
was the Government body that ran the both Hospitals. These two members were –
Mr. W. J. Inkin (Chairman) and Mr. W. J. Davies (Hon. Secretary).
Garngoch was included with
Gorseinon Hospital, as the Board of Management covered both Hospitals and it
stood to reason that this was the correct way of forming the new Association.
Gargoch had been an Isolation Hospital since the Boar War when troops were sent
home to recuperate, in later years it changed to a T.B. then Chest ailments,
and now as a Hospital under Cefn Coed, looking after patients less fortunate
than ourselves.
The “Friends” have been in
existence, as most people know, for over 55 years, and we still have two life
members who were founders of the original Association, they are Mr. W. J.
Davies, MBE and Mrs. Beatrice Davies, but due to poor health, are now unable to
take an active part on our committee.
Over the past years, the
“Friends” have organised many events in conjunction with local Clubs, Churches
and other organisations, to raise money to boost the coffers, which empty very
quickly when very expensive items of medical equipment or special lifting
apparatus is purchased for either one of the hospitals. The Health Authority do
not have the money to purchase or replace any equipment which will help the
staff, help the patient or any new medical equipment that Doctors are asking
for. This is where the “Friends” are asked by the Health Authority, to assist.
The Friends of Gorseinon and
Garngoch Hospitals’ Association has during
its existence, collected and spent on the both Hospitals. In excess of
One and a Half Million Pounds has been collected by a few, from you the public
and business people of Gorseinon and District.
