Tarporley War Memorial Hospital is a small independent charitable trust hospital with 17 in patient beds, located in the heart of rural Cheshire. Despite its independent status, the hospital works closely with the National Health Service to ensure that services are constantly improved to meet the changing needs of local people.
History Of Tarporley War Memorial Hospital
Tarporley Hospital was opened in 1919 by Mrs Marshall Brookes of Portal. Originally it had been a large private house standing in its own substantial grounds and was purchased with money collected in Tarporley and surrounding villages as a memorial to the dead of the 1st World War. A ward in the form of an ex army hut was attached to the side of the house. The first doctor in charge of treatment at the Hospital was Dr C.M. Hewer, FRCS, and the wards were staffed by a Matron and two Nurses who were accommodated on the first floor of the House.
In 1931 Dr P.A. Campbell arrived on the scene and took over from Dr Hewer who was nearing retirement age. Then in 1937 a new Female Ward and Operating Theatre were added as a result of a substantial bequest from the de Knoop family in memory of their son. Patients continued to receive excellent treatment and surgical operations were performed by Dr Campbell, assisted by Dr Arthur of Bunbury.
Until 1948 the Hospital was financed by local voluntary contributions, but then the NHS took over the whole building and its surrounding lands. However, by 1970 small hospitals throughout the country were coming under threat of closure and Tarporley was no exception. The people of Tarporley and surrounding villages began a 'Save our Hospital' campaign, and in 1978 a League of Friends was formed to lead the fight.
In 1982 the first major project to improve the Hospital took place in the form of a New Day Room, which was erected at the rear of the Male Ward. This was financed by the League of Friends and named the Bibby Room after Lady Bibby who opened it and contributed towards it. This enabled walking patients to relax, read, partake of Occupational Therapy and watch TV etc. It also enabled day patients to attend.
Throughout the eighties intense negotiations took place to enable the Hospital to remain open. Sir Donald Wilson (NHS), Dr Sandy Campbell (Hospital Doctor) and Mr Barry Evans (Chairman of the League of Friends), met on numerous occasions and eventually in 1987 a compromise was reached. The NHS sold off the surrounding land, handed over the Hospital to a newly formed Trust and made a grant of £55,000 towards a complete re-build.
The league of Friends matched this offer and the combined sum allowed for the Male Ward to be completely rebuilt, the Female Ward to be renovated and five single rooms, one double room and a physiotherapy room to be added.
Many local charities including, Rotary, Round Table, Freemasons, Royal British Legion, Tarporley, Royal British Legion, Bunbury, numerous private and public donations and bequests, also helped.
The newly formed Trust and newly appointed Manager became responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Hospital and this continues to the present day.
Local GP's agreed to be responsible for the in-house treatment of patients.
In 1999 the operating theatre was updated and Specialist Consultant rooms were added, financed by the League of Friends which has now supported the Hospital for 25 years. Then in 2001 the Kitchen, the Physiotherapy Room, Storage Space, Mortuary and many other features were adapted and added to the Hospital, financed by a generous bequest from Mr Reg Clarke of Bunbury.
Many other features have been added more recently, including automatic doors, patient hoists, specialist beds, an automatic bath etc, as a result of personal gifts, donations and bequests.
There have also been many fund-raising efforts by the League of Friends and by the people of Tarporley and District. Special mention should be made of two recent fund raisers: Winnie Bond of Bunbury - sponsored parachute jump and: Ian Swafffield of Tarporley - sponsored walk.
Tarporley and District is naturally proud of and grateful for, its own Hospital which has faithfully served the village and its surrounding villages for eighty five years.
The Hospital looks forward to continued support over the coming years.
