The Link To Kimberworth Sanatorium
When the
permanent Badsley Moor Lane Hospital was being built one of the temporary hospitals was
sent to a site at Kimberworth to provide suitable accommodation for any future outbreak of
smallpox. The other stayed at Badsley and later became accommodation for the patients with
tuberculosis. The temporary hospital had served the community of Rotherham for eighteen
years, sometimes under the most difficult circumstances though the building often proved
to be too small and inadequate. The wooden and iron structure was transferred at the end
of 1903, however the building was not erected until 1909 and would not see its first
patients until 7th February 1914. When it was opened it was not for smallpox cases as it
was intended but for several men with tuberculosis. A grant for £400 provided sewage and
completed the repairs to the hospital. A charge nurse, appointed on a salary of £35 per
annum and two probation nurses as well as a cook and maids were all appointed for the
opening of the new hospital. Kimberworth would take tuberculosis cases for minimum sum of
7d for each patient.
April the same year brought 36 men to Kimberworth Sanatorium for medical care and rest,
but it was not long before the men had other ideas. The nurse in charge reported to the
Corporation Hospital Committee that 21 of the 36 patients were showing undoubted signs of
confusion due to alcohol, they had indulged excessively and the wards were left with the
stale evil smell of beer. Two tuberculosis patients were discharged by the doctor because
of being intoxicated again. This was said to be an exception most patients were reported
to be good and cheerful.
Towards the end of June a wire fence with wooden partitions was erected to separate the
men and women patients and the first woman patient was admitted on the second of June
1914. There were only four beds for women and a fifth was added later. The hospital was
said to run well and credit for this was given to Nurse Walster from Doncaster Nursing
Home who was given a special mention in the medical officer of health reports. She had
filled the post temporary on two occasions. It was with much regret that Nurse Macgregor
had to leave at the end of September on account of her health. She was fully trained in
both general and sanatorium nursing and had a good influence over the patients.
Rev. A. H. Thornton, the Vicar of Kimberworth was a regular visitor to the
Sanatorium and especially when patients were dangerously ill, he would attend their
bedside and give spiritual guidance. He held a short service on most Thursday
afternoons, with hymn books that were presented by his church. Dr. Robinson was the Chief
Tuberculosis Officer also visited the sanatorium regularly. Between February and December
46 patients were admitted staying an average of 86 days. Their treatment was rest, a diet
of good wholesome food and medical treatment. Tuberculin drug treatment was given to all
but six patients, four were deemed not to need the treatment and the other two patients
were so dangerously ill they both died. A total of 754 injections of tuberculin had been
given, those who had finished the course were monitored, and further checks were made on
them. Patients all completed some work while they were in both Badsley Moor Lane and
Kimberworth, this was graded light, medium and heavy, Light work was from dusting, bed
making, washing up, and generally cleaning up. This would become more physical as the
patients became a little better. Their work would be graduated up to gardening, path
making or carpentry. They would work one hour in the morning and one and a half hours in
the afternoon, using smaller than normal size tools. Some patients thought once they
started heavy work, they were ready for home. They imagined they were fit to earn a living
for their wives and families. Unfortunately some of them insisted on taking discharge,
even though the consequences of this were discussed with them. Six men left against
advice; one lost his sight after leaving the Borough; One was unemployable, and the other
four were incurable. Each patient was given a copy of the rules on entering the
Sanatorium. The rules and regulations were not a form of “red tape” they had
definite aims in view. These rules were taken very seriously, and needed to be obeyed.
There were two principal rest periods a day, 12-1 p.m. and 6-7 p.m., when every patient
was expected to lie quietly without speaking or moving. Staff at this time would carefully
observe patients and this was not achieved if the patient talked. One of the main
advantages of patients being in the Sanatorium so long, was that patients had the
opportunity to learn about good hygiene practices.
Although recreation was not an essential part of treatment, patients were encouraged to
participate in leisure activities some patient would fill their time playing games like
cards or dominoes as well as books and illustrated magazines. Councillor Potter had kindly
provided a daily newspaper and a map so patients could keep a progress on the war. A war
box was placed on each ward and at the end of each month the money was collected and given
to a good cause.10s was collected in September and was given to Rotherham Belgian Relief
fund. In October 4s 6d went to the Scottish Women's Hospitals for Foreign Service, in
November to Weekly Dispatch Cigarette fund to R.F.A. Evidence of evening
entertainment can also be found as an orchestral concert was given by members of the
Empire Orchestra on the women's ward in May 1915. Later the same year a wedding
anniversary party was also held on the women's ward as three of the patients had wedding
anniversaries in the same week, the nurses provided evening tea with cake, chocolates and
crackers. As the cold winter nights came in and many patients were away from their
families for Christmas Mr. and Mrs. Gash gave the hospital a loan of a piano where
patients would gather round and sing Christmas and war songs.
By the end of 1915, 59 admissions had passed through the hospital 41 males and 18
females, of which 2 people died. Four of the men that were discharged went on to join the
forces and another 6 went on to find full time work. Kimberworth was only built as a
temporary hospital however by the end of 1915 five more shelters were erected of which
three were for male and the other two for females. By 1919 the demand on Badsley Moor Lane
Hospital was so great that several soldiers and sailors were transferred to Kimberworth
for the treatment of T.B.
Kimberworth by the 1920's saw the hospital
restricted to 24 patients whom all were women and children. The children were reported to
be mischief's and it was hoped that one day a teacher could be employed. However this
never occurred because Oakwood Hall hospital would go on to play a greater role in the
treatment of tuberculosis. Kimberworth closed on 21st November 1921 and the 23 patients
were transferred to Oakwood Hall. Suggestions were made to the Education Committee to take
over Kimberworth Sanatorium as an open air school for children with the exception that if
a smallpox epidemic occurred it would return back to the council. Although the Education
Committee had already decided to have such a school it is unclear if Kimberworth
Sanatorium was used as another patient was admitted into the hospital in January 1922.
Members of the Kimberworth and District Hospital Committee gathered in the Bridge Inn
pub in Rotherham to award the public house with the "Clark" cup for fundraising
a handsome sum of £10.15s.2d. Dr J.Clarke the donor of the cup was one of the members to
watch Mr. H. Tomlinson the licensee of the Bridge Inn receive this cup. The public house
had fundraised the second largest amount of money collection for the year, with the
largest amount collected by the Travellers Inn at Kimberworth at £13 18s 7d. A
presentation for awarding the Travellers Inn with their cup was made on September 2nd. The
chairman of the hospital committee thanked everyone involved explaining that the total
amount collected for year of 1925 was £90.
The Sanatorium would continue to nurse the sick on a temporary basis of many years with
staffs support from Badsley Moor.
In 1928 the sanatorium nursed 31 cases for smallpox with an average stay of 18.5 days.
1933 a number of patients were nursed with scarlet fever.
1934 the sanatorium was opened on four occasions to nurse patients with scarlet fever.
1935 opened six times for the treatment of smallpox.
1936 the start of the year treated several cases of scabies and towards the end of the
year patients with diphtheria and scarlet fever.
1938 patients with chickenpox, diphtheria and scarlet fever.
1943 treatment given for patients with typhus fever
1945 is the last recording for Kimberworth Sanatorium I can find in that year it
treated patients with smallpox and typhus fever the building was also reported to be in
need of great repair and improvement.
As far as my research can find Kimberworth sanatorium was placed around were Abbey
School is today and so far I have be unable to find any p
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© Neil and Janet Croft 2005