Thanks for all of your Thorpe
WHO REMEMBERS THE HOODED TROLLEY WHICH TOOK MUMS-TO-BE TO THE DELIVERY ROOM? OR THE SAD DAY
We were astonished at the response to our story all about Little Thorpe Maternity Hospital. Echo readers and followers by the thousand followed our story which eventually reached nearly 98,000 people on social media. And some of you reminded us of the wonderful personal experiences you had, such as going to the delivery room on a trolley with a hood on it. Many of you told us about your own experience and they included Pamela Howe who said: “My daughter was born there in 1970. I was pushed in the hooded trolley with my newborn from the delivery room to the ward, across the courtyard with snowflakes falling and the moon shining through, magical! “Then my son was born there in 1974 in a heat wave, staff were great.” Christine Mortimer Kilner said: “This was a great maternity hospital where mothers and babies were so well looked after.” Eileen Hassell remembered: “The delivery room was a long way from ward and you were put on a trolley that had a hood, and moved on that.” Some asked if we knew anything about the last babies to be delivered at Thorpe and here’s a photograph as a reminder. Can you identify any of the people in the picture? We would love to hear from them. Email chris.cordner@jpress.co.uk. Mums from Easington, Blackhall and Peterlee were among the last group of women to have their babies at Thorpe. It officially closed on September 15, 1986, before it re-opened as a Hartlepool Health Authority geriuatric unit a day later. Lesley Robson experienced both sides of the Thorpe system. She explained: “I was born there in 1960, then had the opportunity to work there as a midwife before it closed. Lovely happy place, lovely people.” Susan Briggs had both of her children delivered safely at Thorpe and said: “It should never have been closed. The care was exceptional and homely.” Jean Wilson commented: “Had my eldest daughter there 65 yrs ago as she was premature. As I remember we were well looked after and it was great.” Deirdre Jones had both her children at Thorpe in 1978 and 1981. “Lovely nurses,” she said. “Even called my daughter the same name as one nurse. Pity it closed.” Denise Robinson said: “I had my anti natal appointments there in 94 with my daugh-