ADMINISTRATION: HOUSE COMMITTEE MINUTES

This mainly full set of minutes include brief entries concerning the admission and discharge of named patients. The early minutes contain standard entries, for example:

30 July 1751 'Elenor Woodroffe was examined & [and] she appearing to be a proper Object of this Charity

Ordered That she now be admitted upon proper Security being given, And as she is a Parish Poor upon payment of £1.12.0 for her Bedding' (see H64/A/04/001).

6 October 1815 'Dr Sutherland having also acquainted this Committee, that Ann King (who was admitted the 12th day of May last) appears to have been with child at the time of her admission

Ordered That she be discharged & [and] that notice be sent to her Security to take her away' (see H64/A/04/015) .

They also give details of wage payments to staff, appointments of main staff members, details of repairs and property. Later minutes in 1870s are less formal and include reports of the Physicians (later Medical Officers and Medical Superintendants) and Matron concerning various matters, for example the escape and capture of John Bishop who escaped 'by climbing over the airing court wall' (H64/A/04/036 page 188), and damage to property by patients. Also contracts for provisions, orders for payment of petty expenses giving the costs.

The minutes 1871-1948 are indexed.

The House Committee met weekly and reported to the General Committee. Committee members received applications and gave orders relating to the admission of patients, and were responsible for regularly inspecting the conditions of the hospital and ordering improvements.

In 1948 a newly formed House Committee for Woodside under the Middlesex Hospital could only commend but not approve expenditure for the hospital except urgent and smaller sums, as the funds were managed by the Middlesex Hospital.