Mexborough and Swinton Times July 11, 1925
Conisborough Hospital Sunday
The Familiar Appeal
Severe Pressure on Doncaster and Mexborough Hospitals
In fine weather, the 35th Hospital Demonstration was held at Conisborough on Sunday. The procession was formed at the top of Burcroft Hill, and this was followed by the Conisborough Subscription Brass Band, followed by the Fire Brigade, the Boy Scouts Band, the Conisborough Division of the St John Ambulance Brigade, the Nursing Sisters, and Sunday School children.
The procession went by way of the principal streets to the field, which Mr W.J.Carter always lends for the service. The salvation Armour Band joined the procession, and accompanied the singing of the hymns the chair was taken by Councillor W Appleyard, of Clifton.
Mr T Williams, M.P., said it was a pleasure again to be at that demonstration. In the absence of any better system it was necessary to appeal for the voluntary offerings of the people. These demonstrations did a great deal to bring home to the public the needs and the merits of the hospital at Mexborough the speechmaking been preceded by visit to the hospital, and he thought more persons should visit hospitals to see the wonderful appliances and arrangements. The new X-Ray apparatus at Mexborough was doing wonderful work. We could not have hospitals in our own homes and get the accumulated surgical knowledge of these institutions. Conisborough and never failed to do its share in support of the local hospitals.
Councillor J.W Reynolds said, “It’s your money we want,” organising the city well he wanted to induce his audience to give more. Mr Williams advocated another system. He had tried the system, not in this country and it was very poor indeed.
Mr W.A.Lewis, Chairman of the Montague Hospital board, gave figures to show the great work done by that institution. The new extensions would cost £30,000, but £17,000 would be paid before it was opened. The Doncaster Royal Infirmary was a worthy institution and he was sorry that they would have such a fight regarding their new building. At Mexborough they are electrical machines ready to install in a new massage department. He hoped that in a year all would be in full operation. He had not least doubt about the income. He had often crossed swords with Mr Williams regarding state aided hospital, and if we could have state aid without state control he would advocate it.
Mr O Straw of the Doncaster Royal Infirmary Board, stated that nowhere in Great Britain were circumstances to be compared with those of Doncaster. They were in such a condition in the hospital at sometimes they had two persons in a bed. There is was a rapidly developing area. They had at least decided upon a site, but it would be three years before the hospital was ready. They increased their accommodation by erecting wooden huts and now had 106 beds. There was also the hope of getting another temporary building for about 70 beds. There was a waiting list of 400.
Mr W Hanson, also of the Doncaster Royal Infirmary, stated that in 1924 they had 1524 patients with an average stay of 19.4 days, and at times it was so crowded that patients were taken out of one side of a bed and others put in at the other. In the year they had dealt with 3008 casualties 1007 x-ray cases, and 16,184 persons had received electrical massage treatment.
Dr W.J.McClure said that the difficulties of hospitals were immense but a small hospital near to the pit solve the difficulty here.
Mr R.R. Gethen said that he represented the Fullerton hospital which served a great purpose. He ought to know something of hospitals, having been an attendant, a patient, and an administrator. He thought that it should be the obligation of every State to make provision for accident and illness. Some believed in voluntary hospitals because it was cheaper, and has there was no other system it was necessary to have the voluntary system.
As a result of the demonstration £10 11s 1d was collected in the street, medal for the biggest collection went Mr J Pitchford, who had been successful on two previous occasions, and that for the second best box to Mr W Dolby. The collection at the entrance to the field was £6 8s 6d. The flag days on Friday and Saturday relies £30 and in addition there was a balance in the bank about £40.
In the evening the Band gave a concert in the Castle Grounds the collection there was £2 15s 0d.