Southend Hospital

Description

Welcome to Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trusts website
Whether you are a patient visitor carer or Foundation Trust member someone who is considering a career at the hospital or have simply chanced upon this site we hope you will find our website interesting and informative

We became licensed as a Foundation Trust hospital in June 2006 by which time we had already established an active and enthusiastic Board of Governors both appointed and elected who have been working closely together to share their diverse interests in the hospital and in healthcare matters generally

Our motto at Southend Hospital is putting patients first and we are totally committed to improving every aspect of our services to ensure we remain the hospital of choice for people in south east Essex as well as those patients who live further afield and choose to have their treatment here in Southend

We provide a comprehensive range of acute services including medical and surgical specialities see other sections of the website for more detailed information As well as providing general cancer treatment including radiotherapy and chemotherapy we are the south Essex surgical centre for urooncology and gynaeoncology surgery We also offer breast screening ophthalmology and orthodontic services to the wider south Essex population Many of our services can be chosen by any patient who wishes to visit us simply ask your GP at your referral or choose us via Choose and Book

We have been awarded University status in recognition of the high calibre education we provide for medical students Indeed many of those who have spent some time at Southend Hospital as students return to work here once they have qualified We are committed to being a good employer and are proud of our ability to attract and retain topquality staff Over the last few years we have been awarded

History

History
A long tradition of hospital care

Behind the welcome and care patients receive when they come to Southend Hospital is a proud tradition of well over 100 years of local hospital services

It was in 1887 to celebrate Queen Victorias Jubilee that a public fund was started A site for Southends first hospital was bought for pound350 where Warrior Square swimming pool now stands Built for pound12874s6d Southend Victoria Hospital opened in May 1888 By Christmas with 8 beds and 2 cots it had treated 61 patients at an average weekly cost of 4s6d 22p

A Brief History of Southend Hospital

1930 Building work commenced

1932 Hospital officially opened by Rt Hon Earl of Iveagh

1935 Fracture clinic established

1938 Average number of occupied beds for 1st quarter was 221 First modern
anaesthetic machine purchased at cost of pound92

1939 Outbreak of World War 2 408 beds ready for service 25000 sandbags
assembled in position Plans made for evacuation of hospital

1940 Food rationing introduced to hospital

1945 VE day double pay to any members of staff required to remain on duty

1946 Two senior nurses without late night passes were dismissed for returning to hospital at 2 am under the influence of alcohol

1947 First female doctor appointed to the resident staff Dr Catherine Johnstone Visit by HRH Duchess of Kent