Hospitals in and around Maidstone
Hospitals in Maidstone were not only places to attend when we were ill but also places to meet nurses. I had stitches inserted on several occasions in the West Kent. My brother spent more than three months in sickbay in the early sixties following a bad motor cycle accident, three weeks here at the West Kent and a further twelve weeks convalescent in Linton. I remember walking round to Marsham Street and seeing him resting on the veranda at the front of the hospital. Walking through the corridors of the West Kent and seeing medical equipment like iron lungs gave me the creeps. I had many a nightmare over the thoughts of confinement in one of those contraptions. What strange things frighten us when we are young; in the cool light of maturity, the same things have little effect. My interests were more on the nurse’s home opposite the infirmary, where you had to return them safely before ten thirty, as at that bewitching hour doors locked. They had some good parties here I recall. On the north side of Maidstone stood Barming psychiatric hospital that boasted a first class sports club, in fact one of the requirements in the early days in getting a job here was to be a good sportsman or woman. I remember taking one of the nurses out for a drink, we returned after the bewitching hour of ten thirty and I had to shin up a drain pipe to a first floor window, climb in and make my way to the front door to let her back in. As well as a good cricket and football team, they had an excellent judo club. Preston Hall was another Maidstone hospital.
Anthony Smith Maidstone I remember it well: I came to Maidstone in 1954 to commence my general nursing training at the old West Kent General Hospital in Marsham Street. I got my SRN in June 1957. I have tried unsuccessfully so far to contact former colleagues of those far off days. Rene Newman New Zealand Maidstone I remember it well: Antony you probably just missed my son's meeting the world in 1951 at the West Kent Hospital and who better than Sister Toomey to take charge of my wife Joan.Tough,kind,dedicated and what she didn't know about her work wasn't worth knowing. She ran the roost and the doctors knew it and were relieved that she was there. Joan loved her care and had high regard for Sister Toomey. She was Irish and if you came under her scrutiny you would not have forgotten. Your loss, her tuition would have been valuable
Anthony Smith Maidstone I remember it well: As I nursed for ten years in Maidstone, and am still trying to contact folk who may have known me at the three hospitals where I worked, namely WKGH, Oakwood Hospital and Linton Hospital. Is it possible to upload a photo of myself?
Anthony Smith Maidstone I remember it well: One incident occurred whilst a student nurse at the WKGH. It was 1955, the time of the polio outbreak, and I was on night duty. I was detailed to nurse a child recovery from polio in a side room on the Children's Ward. The child had been in an iron lung, and I had to 'special' him all night. I was told by the night sister "Even if the hospital fell down I was to stay with my patient!". There was a dreadful thunderstorm that night. In the morning I discovered that flash flooding had flooded the hospital cellar to within a foot or so of the main electrics! The fire brigade had to pump out the cellar. Even cots had to be moved because of some flooding in the Children's Ward. My young patient had a very good and quiet night, and I had probably the most peaceful night of all the night nurses!
Chris Schwarz Maidstone I remember it well: Maidstone, I remember it well. Well, not really. In 1957 I suffered serious burns to my fingers on both hands, by grabbing a live electric fire (as one does when 3 years old). Anyway, I was admitted to Maidstone's West Kent Hospital and underwent numerous ops to save my tiny digits. I was in and out of the Hospital for about a year. I was cared for by a nursing Sister. I remember her Angel like face, her gleaming white teeth and blue uniform. Unable to use my hands, even to play with toys, she did everything for me. But sadly I cannot remember her name. I remember the accident, the ward with painted murals of Zoo animals on the walls, the beds and of course the jabs and gas mask as I was put under for the many ops. As a terrified 3 year old, the memories were so imprinted on my brain - except her name. I have tried hard to remember, so that I could trace her, over the years - wherever she may be. To me she was my saviour and shining l ight in a very dark time. I am told she cried deeply when I finally left the Hospital. I, being so young, didn't have the wherewithall to keep in touch. How sad.!!
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