Annual report of St. Luke's Hospital for Advanced Cases : 1945.

  • St. Luke's Hospital for Advanced Cases (London, England)
Date:
1945
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report of St. Luke's Hospital for Advanced Cases : 1945. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    8/22 (page 4)
    IReport of tbe (Committee THE Committee have the honour to present to the Governors their Report for the past year. Looking back upon the events of the past six years, it seems almost miraculous that St. Luke’s has survived the great strain and grave difficulties occasioned by the War. The Hospital has been very blessed, for although bombs of every size and order fell all around and very close to the buildings, it was spared— not even one window being broken. The work during this period was constantly threatened by labour problems owing to the shortage of nursing and domestic staff. Slore than once the situation became desperate, but some¬ how or other help of a kind was always found, and the almost but never quite despairing Matron and Officials were able to breathe more freely, if only for a while. The Committee acknow¬ ledge with gratitude the valuable services of the Matron and of her late “ promiscuous ” staff, whose help enabled the Hospital to weather the storm during those very critical days. They are hoping conditions will soon show signs of improvement. At the moment the question uppermost in the minds of all who are connected with and interested in the welfare of the Voluntary Hospitals is, what is to be their fate under the National Health Service Bill? At the time of writing this Report everything is too fluid for the Committee to make any comment on the difficulties which they will have to face. They would, therefore, just ask all friends of the Charity, who have been so splendid in the past, to give as generously as they can during the coming year, and so help the Hospital during what must be a very sad and troublesome period. It is with regret that the Committee have to report that at the end of the year they received the resignation, by reason of serious illness, of Mr. J. Ashton Burton, who since the death of Mr. Nutter had held the post of Honorary Treasurer. Throughout his association with the Hospital Mr. Burton always took a keen and generous interest in its welfare, and his valuable services will long be gratefully remembered. Mr. H. L. Smedley has kindly accepted the Treasurership. much to the gratification of his colleagues on the Committee, who consider themselves fortunate in having obtained his services. The Committee are glad to announce that Mrs. Hugh Price Hughes, sister of the Founder of the Hospital, and a member of the Committee for the past fifty years, has graciously accepted office as a Vice-President of the Hospital. Also that the Rt. Rev. David Mathew, Bishop Auxiliary of Westminster, and Most. Rev. the Archbishop Germanos of Thyateira have allowed their names to be added to the list of Vice-Presidents. They are also pleased to announce that Colonel B. Ede, O.B.E.,