Montagu Hospital is one of the key hospitals in the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Montagu Hospital has 115 beds. Each year, the Hospital treats around 150,000 patients (Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Montagu Hospital figures combined). A £4.7m redevelopment and refurbishment programme has recently been completed.
Montagu Hospital is situated in residential area of Mexborough with numerous bus services. Transport between Montagu Hospital and DRI is provided - via a booking service - for patients and staff.
History Of Montagu Hospital
In the late 1800s, Mexborough and the Dearne Valley was highly industrialised with railways, steelworks, mines and glassworks. At that time, horrific injuries associated with these industries were not uncommon. The injured had to be either treated at home (serious operations were carried out there) or transported to Doncaster or Rotherham in a horse drawn vehicle. It is documented that a Denaby coal miner had an accident at 2 o’clock in the afternoon, but did not reach Doncaster Royal Infirmary until 10 o’clock in the evening, having first been taken home in a coal trap and then transported to Doncaster by pony and trap.
Thus a campaign began for a local hospital. James and Andrew Montagu of Melton Park became the first benefactors donating the land for both the original Cottage Hospital opened in 1890 and the present site opened in 1904.
The hospital was fortunate so far as its finances were concerned. The workers and public had always been encouraged to feel that it belonged to them, and this ‘community’ approach is as relevant today as it was then. They gave it much support and to a large extent it was financed by regular contributions from workers in the district ie mining, steel, railways and glass workers.
The hospital was governed by local people.
The first cottage hospital boasted 14 beds and 2 full time staff (a Matron and assistant nurse). During the first world war, over 2000 sick and wounded soldiers were treated at the hospital.
As the years passed, its role and future was often the topic for debate. None more so than in 1979 when the Regional Health Authority Consultative Document Proposals for the Pattern of Health Services in the Dearne Valley and the Future Roles of the Montagu and Fullerton Hospitals was published. It was proposed that the hospital should become a Community Hospital. But they had not reckoned with the strength of support from the people of the Dearne Valley who gave strong opposition to the change of role. As a result of this opposition, the Regional Health Authority considered the health care provision in the Dearne Valley and produced a report. Following much consultation and debate, it was finally agreed that the hospital should be maintained and developed as a general hospital with as full a range of general acute services as possible, to serve the population of the Dearne Valley. Following this decision a development plan was prepared which included major capital investment. In 1982, the management of the hospital transferred to Doncaster Health Authority and Montagu is now part of the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
As can be seen, throughout its history, the Montagu Hospital has been strongly supported by the local community whose generosity with regard to donations continues to this day. In 1998, Fred and Ann Green, who lived opposite the hospital for most of their adult lives, left a significant legacy to the Trust. Fred started with a butchers shop in Mexborough and was astute enough to buy shares in what we now know as ASDA.
A large proportion of the Montagu hospital's staff not only work here but live in the Dearne Valley and share the pride of the local people in ‘their hospital’. There is a great enthusiasm to ensure that the services we provide are of the highest quality possible.
