THE FIRST MODERN HOSPITALS IN KENT
The story of the Kent and
Canterbury Hospital
During
the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries many of our modern hospitals
had their origins. The first modern hospitals were built in London and
the idea spread to other large towns.
The Kent and Canterbury Hospital, 1793
The
Kent and Canterbury Hospital was opened in April 1793. The building, which
no longer exists, was imposing. The hospital was supported by a list of
wealthy subscribers including the local nobility, gentry and clergy.
Conditions in the hospital were not as hygienic as those we would expect
today. People did not understand that it was germs that spread disease.
Gradually the features that we would recognise in a modern hospital were
introduced. The rules for nurses were clearly laid out when the hospital
opened.
There were also rules for the admission of patients. Like many early hospitals
patients were only admitted if there was some hope of providing treatment.
Unfortunately doctors and surgeons were unable to cure many diseases and
conditions.
In
other parts of the county hospitals were established as a result of the
success of dispensaries. Many towns had dispensaries that distributed
free medicines and advice to the poor. Many different medicines were supplied.
For example the dispensary in Canterbury used 8,712 leeches in 1830 and
had a drugs bill of over £300 in 1850. The dispensaries were supported
by the local doctors and funded by subscription. As the need for nursing
care and surgery increased these dispensaries expanded to take in patients.
The West Kent Hospital in Maidstone had its origins as a dispensary. To
gain access to either a hospital or a dispensary the patient often needed
a letter of referral or recommendation that would be given by a doctor
or the subscribers who funded the hospital.
Click on the rules to make the images larger.
The
Workhouse
After 1834 the
very poor who were ill often found themselves in the local workhouse where
medical care gradually had to be provided on an increasing scale, especially
for the elderly. By the end of the nineteenth century many workhouses
provided hospital services and when the Poor Law was abolished in the
1930’s the buildings were converted into hospitals.
How were hospitals
run in the 1930’s
The hospitals
continued to be voluntary, financed by subscriptions and local taxes (the
rates) throughout the 1930’s. In 1938 it has been estimated that for the
country as a whole the government paid 5% of the costs for the health
services, 16% came from the National Insurance scheme, 18% from voluntary
sources and 61% from the rates. In Canterbury there was a major rebuilding
programme and the new Kent and Canterbury Hospital was opened in July
1937.
Despite
the existence of hospitals across the county many people could not afford
health care. Women in particular often sacrificed their own health for
the sake of their children. The first resort for many remained the patent
medicines advertised in the local newspapers. It was not until after the
establishment of the National Health Service that people had the care
they required, according to their need.
The new Kent and Canterbury Hospital opened in 1937
from a local Canterbury newspaper, 1935
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Activities |
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| 1. |
Why were only certain people admitted to the hospitals in the early nineteenth century? |
| 2. | Had hospitals changed since the Middle Ages? |
| 3. | Make a list of the strengths and weaknesses of the voluntary hospitals. Should politicians consider a return to the system of the 1930’s where the government pays less and health care is funded by voluntary contributions? |