Catalogue description ROYAL DEVON & EXETER HOSPITAL

1260 F/HS STATUTES OF THE HOSPITAL

1260 F/HM MINUTES & COGNATE PAPERS

Management

Sub-Committees

Special Committees

1260 F/HA ADMINISTRATION

Committee Reports

Accounts (Treasurer et al.)

Staff rules & regulations

Staff registers

Staff appointments etc.

Chaplaincy

Papers

1260 F/HR PATIENTS' REGISTERS

1260 F/HT TITLE

Endowments and charities

Hospital properties

1260 F/HE ESTATE

Accounts

Building contracts etc.

Reports, specifications, estimates

Plans

Miscellaneous papers

1260 F/HZ MISCELLANEOUS

Some later patients' registers, operation journals and case books dating from the 19th and 20th centuries have also been deposited in the Devon Record Office, but these have not been catalogued, as at November 2002. They are accessioned as 1260 F add 4.

Devon and Exeter Hospital, 1741 - 1900

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital

All records containing information relating to patients are closed for 100 years from the date of the latest entry.

• Health services

The Devon & Exeter Hospital was founded by subscription in 1741 and the building was completed in 1743. In 1900, after a visit of the then Duke and Duchess of York, the title 'Royal' was granted.

The founder of the hospital, Dr. Alured Clarke, Dean of Exeter, intended the building for the relief of the sick and of the lame poor. Over the 100 years subsequent to its foundation, the hospital received many charitable funds, such as the Samaritan Fund (weekly board for poor patients), a Children's Clothing Fund, Golsworthy's Fund (money for general expenses) and an anonymous gift for orthopaedic instruments.

In 1856, 1896-97 and 1922 the hospital was substantially enlarged, in 1869 a chapel was opened and during the present century an electrical treatment department and new operating theatre were added. 1914 saw the institution of an ear, nose and throat department. The aspect of the old hospital has, however, remained essentially unchanged.

The Hospital was run by two meetings of the Governors: the Governors' Court which dealt with matters of policy and statute, and the General Governors' Committee which was concerned more directly with the practical administration of the hospital and its staff. During the second half of the 19th century other sub. and special committees were created to deal with matters arising from the steady growth and expansion of the hospital facilities. It was administered by the Hospital Management Committee of Exeter and Mid-Devon at the time these records were deposited.

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