Dora Wiles at Yarnfield Hospital

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Date:1928

Description:Dora Wiles from Rugeley is pictured at Yarnfield Hospital, near Stone.

This photograph is from a collection of photographs relating to Dora who was a patient at Yarnfield Hospital in 1928 and in 1930. During her stay at the Hospital Dora took several photographs, she also appeared in group photographs with other patients and members of the nursing staff. Dora was born in Warrington on 28 November 1907 and died at home on 25 March 1934 of pulmonary TB. The occupation on her death certificate states Stationer’s Assistant. Dora may have worked with relatives at H Pascoe’s, Printers, Newsagents and Stationery Stores, Rugeley.

In 1904 Stone Joint Hospital Board (SJCB) were considering setting up an Isolation Hospital in Moss Lane, Yarnfield. The foundation stone was laid in 1908 and the Hospital opened in 1910. The Hospital was initially known as the Stone Isolation Hospital and under the control of SJCB. The Hospital was to provide for infectious patients from within the area covered by Stone Rural District Council and Stone Urban District Council for diseases such as Diphtheria and Scarlet Fever.

By 1914 there was agreement with Stafford Joint Committee to make arrangements for a block to be set aside for 14 patients suffering from Tuberculosis (TB). In November 1914 Miss Currie (from Bournemouth) was appointed Matron and paid £50.00 per year. By 1924 the SJHB was again looking to increase accommodation for another 24 beds for women who were all advanced cases. At this time the Hospital Matron was Miss Smallwood who replaced the previous Matron, Miss Ruddy. The Hospital Chaplain was the Rev. J B Firth. By 1926 outdoor huts had been erected for 32 TB patients in an area which had originally been a Scarlet Fever ward. In July 1927 the Matron was Miss Noble. By August 1936 the Hospital buildings were in need of modernisation and around this time it was reported that the death rate was high amongst serious TB cases. There was also a lack of nurses. In the post-war era Yarnfield Hospital was managed by the Stafford Hospital Management Committee and during April 1984 the Hospital closed. In later years the buildings were converted to private residences.

Over the years many patients suffering from Tuberculosis (TB) were sent to Yarnfield Hospital. TB is a disease caused by bacteria which usually attack the lungs, but they can also damage other parts of the body. The advanced form known as Pulmonary TB was historically known as Consumption.

There was also a Smallpox Hospital the ‘Tin Hospital’ on a separate site on Yarnfield Lane. This was erected around 1893 and had new sanitation equipment installed in 1899. The ‘Tin Hospital’ was still in use for Smallpox cases until 1950. In later years the building was demolished and replaced by a sports ground currently known (2017) as Wellbeing Park (formerly Springbank Park) the home of Stone Dominoes Football Club.

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Creators: Miss Susan Large - Contributor

Donor ref:BM-SL-Y09 (192/33021)

Source: Mr Bob Metcalfe

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