What the Hospital means to the Community
We know just how important the Hospital is to the local residents of Caerphilly - this is why the group was set up. The purpose of the Committee is not to campaign to retain the Hospital but to keep some sort of community use on the site along with the likely residential development when the Hospital is relocated.
We are keen to hear your stories and memories of what the hospital means to you. You have already started to add these to our facebook page and we are keen to add more to this website. If you have any thoughts to add, please let us know through the contact page or by email and we will add them to this page.
We are keen to hear your stories and memories of what the hospital means to you. You have already started to add these to our facebook page and we are keen to add more to this website. If you have any thoughts to add, please let us know through the contact page or by email and we will add them to this page.
Deryn McAndrews
My experiences of the Miners Hospital are of efficient service, delivered by pleasant staff who speak to you as a person, and not as a number.
There were several occasions when one or other of my parents was rushed into the Miners’ Hospital for various reasons in the last few years of their lives. The great thing about the Miners was that they went straight in and were seen immediately by pleasant staff – unlike some other bigger hospitals in the area, where my experience is all too frequently of seemingly endless queues for attention, and staff curt to the point of rudeness, “too busy” to communicate, even when the case is urgent.
My mother was admitted to the Miners on one occasion with a severe kidney infection which almost overwhelmed her – had it not been for the care and concern of the doctors, and the timely application of appropriate medication, she would have died that night. She later had to go back and forth frequently for blood checks while she was on Warfarin – the fact of the hospital being close to home made this a viable proposition, and not a major ordeal. While my parents were in hospital, the fact of it being so close to home meant that I and my children could pop in and see them frequently and at any time of day – my children walking down to see their grandparents after school, and me popping in on my way to and from work. Their eventual deaths were handled sensitively and in a caring way – and my family and I gained much comfort from the kind words of the doctors and ward staff, both during their final illnesses and after their deaths.
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There were several occasions when one or other of my parents was rushed into the Miners’ Hospital for various reasons in the last few years of their lives. The great thing about the Miners was that they went straight in and were seen immediately by pleasant staff – unlike some other bigger hospitals in the area, where my experience is all too frequently of seemingly endless queues for attention, and staff curt to the point of rudeness, “too busy” to communicate, even when the case is urgent.
My mother was admitted to the Miners on one occasion with a severe kidney infection which almost overwhelmed her – had it not been for the care and concern of the doctors, and the timely application of appropriate medication, she would have died that night. She later had to go back and forth frequently for blood checks while she was on Warfarin – the fact of the hospital being close to home made this a viable proposition, and not a major ordeal. While my parents were in hospital, the fact of it being so close to home meant that I and my children could pop in and see them frequently and at any time of day – my children walking down to see their grandparents after school, and me popping in on my way to and from work. Their eventual deaths were handled sensitively and in a caring way – and my family and I gained much comfort from the kind words of the doctors and ward staff, both during their final illnesses and after their deaths.
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Sister Brister
Mr Leighton Elms recently wrote to us about his mum Ciss Elms who worked as a theatre sister at the Miners Hospital in the late 1930's early 1940's. Better known as Sister Brister, Mr Elms' mum later became acting matron in the 1940's. We have been very kindly sent two photos of Sister Brister who can be seen on the right in the first picture and second from the right in the second picture.
Mrs Ruth Dawson
Mrs Dawson emailed the team to tell us about her experiences of the hospital. This is what she told us,
"My memories of the Miners Hospital go back to October 1939 when my father had a serious accident and was admitted to the hospital. His life was in the balance for a time, but with the dedicated care of the staff he pulled through. I was five years old at the time and I thought it strange to see my father in a cage where he could only move his lower arms and head. He remained in the Miners Hospital for almost a year. As he was a long-term patient, even though he was well enough to be discharged the staff asked him to remain in hospital for an extra week as the Duchess of Kent was to pay a visit. I might add that my mother’s response to this news was less than favourable!
During my father's stay at Caerphilly Miners Hospital war was declared and we watched the sandbags being built up around the windows and tape being stuck onto the glass of the hospital. In later years I spent a short time at the hospital, my sister gave birth to two sons there and both my parents sadly passed away there. However, Caerphilly Miners Hospital has always been very dear to my heart because of the excellent care my father received during his long recovery".
"My memories of the Miners Hospital go back to October 1939 when my father had a serious accident and was admitted to the hospital. His life was in the balance for a time, but with the dedicated care of the staff he pulled through. I was five years old at the time and I thought it strange to see my father in a cage where he could only move his lower arms and head. He remained in the Miners Hospital for almost a year. As he was a long-term patient, even though he was well enough to be discharged the staff asked him to remain in hospital for an extra week as the Duchess of Kent was to pay a visit. I might add that my mother’s response to this news was less than favourable!
During my father's stay at Caerphilly Miners Hospital war was declared and we watched the sandbags being built up around the windows and tape being stuck onto the glass of the hospital. In later years I spent a short time at the hospital, my sister gave birth to two sons there and both my parents sadly passed away there. However, Caerphilly Miners Hospital has always been very dear to my heart because of the excellent care my father received during his long recovery".
Doris McCarthy
Doris' son Martin Keen wrote to us recently on behalf of his mum, Doris, whose grandfather was one of the Committee Members who organised the raising of the funds. Martin is going to send us a photo that was taken at the opening of the Caerphilly Miners Hospital. The photograph was originally hanging on the wall of the matron's office. When Doris started her nurses training in the hospital, she always saw her grandfather looking upon her when she was hauled before the Matron for some misdemeanour or other! When we receive the photo we will add it to the website.
Mrs Yvonne Date
Yvonne sent us in a treasured memory through the website. She told us that her three sons were all born at the Miners' Hospital and therefore has very fond memories of her association. Yvonne writes that over the years that she has lived in Caerphilly she has used the hospital's excellent facilities and continues to use them to this day. She says that she will be very sad and upset should it not be used for some sort of community project.
Facebook
For more memories and thoughts on the importance of the miners' legacy to the community, please see our facebook group.