General Practice of Drs Clark, Bennett and Sharpe: Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, East London

1940-1978

2 boxes

The collection was donated to the library at Wellcome Collection by Margaret Bennett, 21/09/2007.

This all-female practice at 486 Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, London E10, was founded c.1928 by Dr Jardine, who moved into 486 Lea Bridge Road in 1929 with her father. As the practice grew it is likely that Dr Jardine employed assistants to help with the domestic and secretarial duties. Another female doctor, Dr A. S. Clark joined the practice in the late 1930s as an assistant. Shortly after Dr Jardine married and moved to Scotland, selling the practice to Dr Clark in 1939. When the War broke out much of the practice moved out of the area but Dr Clark stayed on and managed to get by with clinics and Red Cross duties. Patients returned to the area and the practice grew after the War and she began to employ assistants in the busy winter months. After one failed full time assistant, Dr Margaret Bennett came on board in November 1952, becoming a partner after six months. As Dr Clark was sixty years old in 1960 she took on less duties and a new assistant Dr Sharpe was employed. In 1964 Dr Clark retired, doing holiday reliefs only, and Dr Sharpe became Dr Bennett's partner. Dr Bennett purchased the practice around 1964 . Following the marriage of Dr Sharpe to a clergyman in another locality the partnership ended and Dr Bennett, unable to find another partner, reduced the size of the practice and carried on as sole practitioner (the loss of a partner incurred a financial penalty so continuing the practice was not easy option). Dr Bennett retired in January 1978 aged sixty-two. As she had previously purchased the house as well as the practice she remained in the property and the patients were moved to other practices.

A more detailed practice history exists, which also covers the use, layout and ownership of the premises. For further information contact the Archives and Manuscripts department.

This collection is currently uncatalogued and cannot be ordered online. Requests to view uncatalogued material are considered on a case by case basis. Please contact collections@wellcomecollection.org for more details.