Mexborough and Swinton Times June 11, 1947
Montagu Hospital Changes
Matron’s Impending Retirement
A delightful picture of Miss C Wesley (left) Matron of the Montagu hospital, who is shortly to retire with a close friend, sister Harvey, whose impending departure to take up a new appointment was announced last week.
One of the last remaining links between the Mexborough Montagu Hospital as it stands today and the Montagu cottage Hospital as it stood 30 years ago in Bank Street, will, to the sincere regret of all subscribers be severed in the near future when the resignation of Miss Clara Wesley, the present Mason takes effect.
Although, when the Nelson was made last week that sister Harvey was leaving to take up a new appointment at Wakefield under the County Council, several people foresaw the possibility of Miss Wesley, a close friend, leaving also, the news of the matron is coming departure will be received with sorrow by many friends, fellow workers, and ex-patient of the hospital, in whose affection she had won a firm place.
A native of Leicester, Miss Wesley received a hospital training in London and came to Mexborough 1903 from Derby. The Montagu hospital was then in its early youth (it had been started in 1889) and after 24 years it was in such flourishing condition that a movement was already afoot to transfer from the rather inadequate premises in Bank Street to a new building at the corner of Cemetery Road and Adwick Road.
Within a few months of arrival, Miss Wesley witnessed the stone laying ceremony of the new Montagu hospital on the above site. May 18 in the following year was a most momentous in this hospital, for on that day, Mr F.J.O.Montagu, the president, open the new building, and the Bishop of Sheffield dedicated the premises.
The transfer of patients from the old hospital to the new was carried out by ambulance, and the work was done most expeditiously, Miss Berry, then Mason, seeing to the dispatch of patients and Miss Wesley, the Sister, receiving them at the new institution.
In 1912 Miss Berry resigned as she was leaving to be married, and at a special meeting of the Board of Management of May 11, Miss Wesley, who joined the Institution simultaneously with Miss Berry, who came from Loughborough, was appointed Matron.
The choice made on that occasion was undoubtedly a wise one, for not only was Miss Wesley a most efficient nurse but she has proved herself, in the capacity Mason, a born administrator. During her 34 years in the service of the Board many thousands of cases has passed through her hands, she has made friends by her efficiency and personal charm.
War Years
On the outbreak of the Great War the hospital authorities placed at the disposal of the War Office 24 beds for the treatment of sick and wounded soldiers, free of charge. In all, over 2000 soldiers were treated, and Dr Frank Harvey, a member of the Hon. Medical staff, was appointed officer in command of the military wards.
Later, however, he went to France on active service, and the Matron, Miss Wesley, became the Commandante, and the military as well as the civil wars were left entirely under her control. For her work in this connection she was mentioned in dispatches in 1918.
The hospital continued to flourish and by 1925 more extensions were erected at an estimated cost of £24,000. The permanent staff had increased to 40 persons, including the Mason, three Sisters, 15 nurses, one masseur, 14 maids, housekeeper, secretary, two porters and two boiler men. Shortly afterwards these members were nearly doubled.
Miss Wesley saw the fulfilment of another of her dreams, when, on April 17 of this year, three new departments a new ward were opened at the hospital.
Joining the staff as she did 93, Miss Wesley has seen longer service with the Board than any other officer of the Institution. During her years as Matron the hospital has been conducted most efficiently, both from an administrative and a nursing standpoint. She has in this long interval discharged a heavy responsibility with conspicuous ability. Always a keen disciplinarian, she has ensured that the hospital has been a model of cleanliness and tidiness.
Medical Commendation
Under the appointment of an honorary surgical staff in 1922, the Matron virtually carried out the duties of House Surgeon in addition to other work, and she has time and again won the commendation of the Honorary Medical Staff for her skill in this direction. An excellent nurse herself, she insisted on the best for all round her and the quality of work carried out in the Montagu hospital under her direction compares favourably with that transacted in any of the larger hospitals.
Miss Wesley is the sixth of a distinguished line of Matrons, who have served in the Montagu hospital, and it is worthy of note that Miss Wesley stayed over a longer period than the other five together.
The first Matron was Miss Moore, who stayed until 1898, when she married Dr S.O.Hatherley.
The others in order have been, Miss Aldred (1890 – 1900), Miss Cooke (1900 for a few months), Miss Roote (1900 – 1903), Miss Berry (1903 to 1912) and Miss Wesley (1912 – 1937)
Miss Wesley intends in her retirement, to take up residence at Wakefield with Sister G.M. Harvey, whose impending departure was announced last week. Miss Harvey has taken an Inspectorship in midwifery under the West Riding County Council.
A special meeting of the Board of Management has been called for Monday to consider Miss Wesley’s resignation, and the appointment of a successor.