Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2013 | Page 31

FEATURE

especially in the summer, to see dozens of patients
with their visitors sitting out on the lawns or on the
balconies having tea.
“I particularly appreciated the efforts of members
of my family and friends who regularly made the trip
from North Cheam and other parts of London, via
Portsmouth. They were always cheerful and always
pleased to see me, as was I to see them, in spite of
their long journey home again.
“My parents bought me an Ensign ‘Full-View’
camera while I was at the hospital, and I put this to
very good use especially in the grounds. “I was at the
RNH eight months, which was the average length of
time for most patients. I was one of the lucky ones
who only needed bed rest, as many others underwent
various treatments.
“As no drugs for the treatment of tuberculosis were
available, the only option open to the doctors was to
prescribe bed rest which, along with excellent care
from the staff, high quality food consisting mainly of
dairy products and fresh vegetables from the kitchen
gardens and plenty of fresh air, attributed to my
eventual discharge from the hospital on December 7,
1949.”

Above: A typical patient's bedroom at the hospital
Below: The main dining hall

Pictures courtesy ofVentnor Heritage Museum

www.visitislandlife.com

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