Lionel Williams, from Berkshire Medical Heritage Centre, gave a talk on the history of the hospitals of Reading which date from 1121AD.  Reading Abbey in 1121 under Henry I were amongst the first to treat the sick within Reading, probably the monks were the primary patience and/or carers.  This is now part of Reading Jail.  Outside of London there were few places for the treatment of the sick, especially the poor.

The Royal Berkshire hospital as we know it did not start to form until the 19th Century when in 1836 Benyon donated £1000 to the cause along with Lord and Lady Sidmouth who offered land near what is now Redlands Road.  There were 54 entries received for the design of the hospital.  The hospital was originally to be opened in May of 1837, however, it was delayed several times.  There is a plaque in the building which says it was officially opened in May 1837, although it never actually was.  This was the last building to be build with William IV’s coat of arms.

King William IV and Queen Adelaide became the first patrons of the hospital and a Mrs Hogg became the first Matron earning £30 a year.  Nurses were paid £12.00 a year and all staff were to find their own tea and sugar. 

At this time, the late 1830’s, 50% of funerals in London were for children under 10 years old.  However, many of the first entries in the hospitals records were rail accident victims. 

Ale was used in the hospitals at this time and the Royal Berkshire records 1,003 ½ gallons of beer for one year.

In 1846, 1850 and 1882 new buildings and extensions were added.  Also at this time you needed an admission ticket to be allowed into the hospital.  Expansion of the hospital continued when in 1864 8 ½ acres were bought and a workhouse opened in 1867.  This later became Battle Hospital, named after Battle Abbey.  Battle hospital records in 1890 260 paupers, 40 tramps, 155 hospital patients and 60 imbeciles.

The end of the 19th Century saw several major advances including the electric light and X-Ray machines.  In 1904 Prospect Park was opened and was used as an isolation hospital for diseases such as scarlet fever.

The Royal Berkshire hospital was expanded further in 1911/12 with more theatres, again in 1838 with a mortuary and several other minor additions.  When the First World War broke out, many of the hospitals in Reading were taken over by the military.  This included Battle Hospital.  The Royal Berkshire Hospital was given it own coat of arms in 1839.

Major changes and improvements were then implemented from 1997 onwards resulting in the closure of Battle Hospital in 2005.

A vote of thanks was given by Sue Broughton.