A special tree planting event was held at Trafford General Hospital to mark 100 years since work started on the hospital that went on to become the very first hospital in the NHS and transform healthcare.
Staff past and present gathered at Trafford General Hospital for a special tree planting ceremony and to recreate a photo from back when the building work began as the hospital still houses the very spade that started the development 100 years ago.
The Barton-upon-Irwell workhouse and hospital in Patricroft had become inadequate and a new hospital was required.
The Poor Law Guardians, elected parish officials of the time, wanted to build a modern, state-of-the-art hospital which was not just for the poor and needy, but for anyone who needed medical help, irrespective of their financial means. They felt that the new hospital should be located in a healthy environment, away from the then smoky industrial urban area of Patricroft.
A Guardian at the time noted: “the hospital should be where there is fresh air, where trees and plants would grow and where birds would sing”.
The current site was chosen and work began in January 1926, opening as a Park Hospital in 1929.
In 1948 the early foresight of the Guardian’s was acknowledged and rewarded as then health minister, Nye Bevan, chose it to become the birthplace of the NHS. Furthering the Guardian’s ethos, it became the first hospital in the world to deliver free healthcare to all.
Kathy Cowell, Chair of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We’re incredibly proud of Trafford General Hospital for both the significant history it holds and the quality services it provides. That pride is evident in all our staff and it’s been so special to hold this event with staff past and present.
“It’s been fascinating hearing more about the history of the site and I hope we’ve honoured the forward-thinking Guardians of 1926 by adding a lovely new tree to Trafford’s green surroundings.”
Amongst the current staff taking part in the celebrations was Anne Sullivan, Theatre Sister at Trafford General Hospital. She’s recently hit 50 years’ service with the NHS, 36 years of which she’s served at Trafford. She said: “It’s been very poignant for me today as the site where the tree has been planted used to be where the housing was for nurses when I was doing my training in the late 70’s.
“Trafford General is a lovely hospital to work, it’s got a strong community and staff and patients alike are very proud of it, and the key role it has played in history, I’m very proud to be a nurse here.”
Edmund Hoare worked at Trafford General Hospital for 26 years as a consultant surgeon and has taken a keen interest in its history. He wrote ‘Park Hospital Davyhulme: Birthplace of the NHS’, together with co-author Michael Billington. He was delighted to return to see former colleagues for the event: “Trafford General Hospital holds a special place in my heart, and I enjoyed very happy years working here.
“The Poor Law founders built a state-of-the-art hospital with a philosophy of treating all irrespective of their means. I like to think Nye Bevan is looking down and is delighted to see the hospital, at which he inaugurated the NHS, is still fulfilling his vision”
In recent years there has been significant investment into the services and estate at Trafford General Hospital to keep it leading the way in healthcare. There has been the development of the elective surgery hub, robotic surgery and investment of £14m into two new theatres to increase the capacity to carry out 240 elective day surgery cases a week reducing waiting times for patients.
Keeping the historic site sustainable has also been a key priority and £18.9m investment from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme was secured to deliver innovative improvements to the heating system, helping reduce energy usage by 92% and energy costs by over £100,000 a year, whilst keeping the site fit for the next 100 years.
