Good Hope Hospital began life as a large Victorian house, which
was purchased in the
spring
of 1943
for £5,000 for use as a convalescent home for patients
from the Sutton Cottage Hospital.
Fig 1. An operating theatre in
the early 1950's |
The idea to buy the property is believed to have come from local
GP Dr Alec Essiemont, who discovered the property was for sale.
He then spoke to the matron of the Cottage Hospital, Miss Freeman,
with the suggestion to purchase the Manor House and develop the
site.
It had been realised for some
time that the Cottage Hospital in the High Street in Sutton
Coldfield, was
not big enough to cope with extra growing demand of an expanding
population. A new General Hospital for Sutton and the north
of Birmingham was needed.
Good Hope continued as a convalescent home until the early 1950s, when
during the 'Cold War', two single story wards were built with the intention
of using
them as a place to evacuate people from Birmingham in the event of a nuclear
attack. It was thought at the time that Sutton would be much safer.
Fig 2. A corner of a ward at
Good Hope circa 1955 |
These wards
were so long, that it is rumored Dr Essiemont rode his bike down
them!
During 1955-1958, despite slow progress;
- A nurses' home was built.
- A central kitchen to cater for 400 patients and staff was completed
by April 1958, and this was the showpiece of the hospital
as it provided a diet kitchen, pastry, vegetable and meat preparation
rooms, stores and accommodation for the chef.
- The house was converted to provide residential accommodation
for medical staff and matron and dining room facilities were improved.
- The gardens were landscaped.
Fig 3. Work continues with
the manor in the
background |
By the end of 1958 work began on the construction of a new hospital
service road.
It was agreed that further work should then continue in six stages.
These included;;
- Operating theatres
- X-ray
- A Physiotherapy department
- An Accident department
- An Out-patients' departments
This work was completed in 1965. More>> |
About Good Hope
