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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.