ADMINISTRATION: GENERAL COURT MINUTES

The minutes include reports of the General Committee. Early reports (in H64/A/01/001) give payments of gratuities to servants giving names and occupations, lists of contracts given to individuals and businesses for the provision of food, general statistics on numbers of patients admitted and discharged, illnesses and deaths, purchase of stock and other matters. Reports also include appointment of key staff such as the Matron and the number of patients and state of buildings such as at the Convalescent Home, Nether Court, Ramsgate, Kent (in H64/A/01/007).

By 1841, the Annual General Court meeting minutes also include the Physician's Report which give detailed statistics on patients during the year. The reports also include suggestions on hospital conditions and practice. For example in 1841 the Physicians report 'they are still most anxious to reduce it (mechanical restraint) to the least possible amount' and complained of cold and occasional damp in the galleries. By 1846, detailed Statistical Tables on patients are recorded including summaries of occupations (see H64/A/01/004).

Reports of the auditors and annual accounts are included, some listing funds and legacies. Also included are Special Court of Life Governors meetings.

The final meetings from 1954 - 1956 consist of brief transactions for the sale of Welders, Chalfont Saint Peter, Buckinghamshire

Until 1948 the hospital was managed by a General Court of Governors which was held at least twice a year to transact business of the hospital and elect and appoint annually a President, Vice-presidents, Treasurer, the General Committee, Physician, Surgeon, Apothecary and Secretary; and also appoint a special committee to audit the accounts. They received reports from the General Committee and made resolutions accordingly. At the Annual General Court meeting, the annual statement of accounts was reviewed, rules and regulations were made or amended and members elected.

The Court met initially at King's Arms, Exchange Alley, City of London. In the 1840s the Court met at various venues including the George and Vulture Tavern, George Yard, Lombard Street, City of London.

The Court was disbanded with the formation of the National Health Service in 1948. After 1948, remaining members of the Court prior to 1948 continued to meet until 1956 to seal transactions for the sale of Welders site, Buckinghamshire.