Lack of capacity nothing new for city’s hospitals
CONCERN that hospitals could be overwhelmed by Covid-19 cases has been a thread that has run through the months of the pandemic.
But similar concerns over the capacity of hospitals to cope with demand stretch back to Newcastle’s early medical days – when on occasions two patients were placed in the same bed.
A new book looks at the history of Newcastle Infirmary, set up in the 18th century at the top of Forth Banks, where the International Centre for Life now stands.
Historic Tales From Newcastle, by city author Ken Smith, examines features of the town’s life, from the building of the medieval New Castle to the 1929 North East Coast Exhibition, one of the greatest events to be staged on Tyneside.
The infirmary was the first hospital in Newcastle in the modern sense of the word, and was set up through donations via a subscription fund.
The infirmary opened before the building that would house it was erected. It was first based in a house in Gallowgate and capacity quickly became an issue, with rooms hired in neighbouring homes to accommodate more patients.
The foundation stone for the infirmary building was laid in 1751 by the Bishop of Durham. It provided 90 beds.
To be admitted, patients needed a letter from subscribers who had supported the infirmary financially, but by the 1820s those suffering from accident
injuries and diseases needing immediate help were treated – a forerunner of A&E.
Surgeon George Hume, who wrote a history of the infirmary in 1906, referenced the “disorderly, dirty and drunken” habits of some patients.
In 1754 when some patients complained about the quality of the meat and beer they were served – there was a small brewery in the hospital grounds - the infirmary committee decided they should be severely reprimanded and put on rations of toast and water for a week.
In the early days when only a small number of untrained nurses were employed on low pay, it was likely that recovering patients were expected to help nurse more serious cases.
At the start of the 19th century an extension was built after overcrowding had led to the spread of infection, with the committee reporting to the governors that in several instances two patients had been put into one bed.
In 1874 the problem of infection spread was tackled by the introduction of carbolic acid sprays during operations and the washing of hands and instruments in carbolic acid.
Throughout, the problem of demand exceeding capacity was a regular issue. In 1830, a third floor was added to the east wing, in 1852-55 architect John Dobson added a north-south wing at the west end and, in 1885, the Ravensworth wing was added to the south front.
The Royal Victoria Infirmary took over from the old Newcastle Infirmary in 1906 and the main part of the building was demolished in 1954.
Historic Tales From Newcastle, Tyne Bridge Publishing, £8.99.