Welcome to All Hallows Healthcare Trust. Our objective is to promote the relief of persons of either gender, without regard to either race or creed, whilst suffering from any terminal or life threatening illness, or from any disability or disease attributable to old age, or from any other physical or mental infirmity, disability or disease in such ways as the Trust shall from time to time think fit, with priority for residents of Norfolk and Suffolk.
The Trust provides a unique complex of local Healthcare Services over four key areas managed by Clair Westwood-Deamer, Chief Executive (CEO) with qualifications in Management, Accountancy, Psychiatry and Psychology; and Janet Dunning, Senior Matron, a first level nurse with a BSc (Hons) in nursing studies.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
To deliver high quality and compassionate Healthcare using skilled and dedicated staff. Our distinctive philosophy of care, based on Christian values, is reflected in our welcoming environment, in our understanding of patients’ needs and beliefs and in our respect for the dignity of each individual. We seek to provide our medical colleagues with unrivalled support and in order to achieve this we encourage in our staff an awareness of the changing nature of Healthcare and respond swiftly and imaginatively to new developments and needs. We value the unique contribution of each member of staff and aim to develop their full potential through a commitment to training and education.
History Of All Hallows Hospital
** History of All Hallows **
In 1855 the Community of All Hallows was founded by Lavinia Crosse, daughter of a Norwich surgeon, who came to be known as Mother Lavinia. In 1872 Mother Lavinia set up a Hospital in a cottage in Ditchingham but very soon the cottage proved to be too small and work began on the present building, which was opened a year later. Sir Rider Haggard visited in the early days when he was resident in Ditchingham.
Mother Lavinia became the Community of All Hallows first supervisor and applied to Norfolk and Norwich Hospital for Sisters to be trained as nurses to work in the Hospital.
The earliest records tell of burns from paraffin lamps and injuries from falls from carts and horses. Doctors and surgeon cared for the sick, but qualified nurses were a rarity at that time. Day to day nursing was carried out by the Community Sisters and their voluntary helpers. However, in 1902 the Community had a fully trained nurse, Sister Augusta, who worked at the Hospital.
Patients came to the Hospital for surgery and medical care and there were also beds for those who needed constant nursing during the last few days of their life. The First World War put a stop to much of the Hospital's care for local people, whilst wounded and sick soldiers were looked after during a four year period.
In 1933 Sister Gwyneth took charge and the maternity section grew. Mothers from surrounding villages came to have their babies at the Hospital. After 35 years Sister Gwyneth retired and the Hospital was put in the care of Sister Frances in 1968. She was not a nurse, therefore Sister Joy became Matron. In Sister Joy's time as Matron the NHS was asked if they would be interested in using beds at All Hallows and they funded eight. Since the deaths of Sister Joy (1976) and Sister Frances (1980), the Sisters from the Community have continued to care for the patients and relatives pastoral needs. Today the Sisters are few in number and the Hospital is staffed by a professional lay team.
In 1994 the Community took over the operation of a 38 bedded residential home now known as All Hallows Nursing Home, providing long term nursing care with respite beds available.
The Day Treatment and Therapy Centre was built and opened in May 2004 in the grounds of the Hospital.
In May 2007 it was announced that the Sisters from the Community were to promote an independent charity. A registered charity and a company limited by guarantee was then formed: All Hallows Healthcare Trust.
