A GLIMPSE OF KINGSTON WORKHOUSE INFIRMARY IN 1911

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A GLIMPSE OF KINGSTON WORKHOUSE INFIRMARY IN 1911

June 25, 2020KingstonBy David Kennedy

David A. Kennedy, PhD

25 June, 2020

ABSTRACT

The enumerator of the 1911 Census of Kingston Union Workhouse Infirmary was the matron, Miss Annie Smith. Her record and other sources provided information on the institution’s 465 in-patients, 53 resident nurses, two medical officers and 13 resident domestic servants. The Census data indicated the range of afflictions that prevailed within the community, including the workhouse, that was served by the infirmary. The evidence suggested that in 1911 the infirmary consisted of at least three buildings, constructed at different times, and there were separate wards or rooms for patients with contagious diseases, patients with learning difficulties and patients with mental illness. Maternity patients were accommodated in the workhouse. The nursing and medical standards of the infirmary appeared to be high.

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About the author

David Kennedy

About 20 years ago, I accompanied my late wife to some talks on the use of computers in historical research and began to help her with her genealogical studies. Later, I took part in a project, organised by the Centre for Local History Studies at Kingston University, to digitise the Enumerators’ Books for the Kingston Census of 1851-1891. This rekindled my interest in history, especially that of Kingston upon Thames, where I live. This website has been set up so that I can share my research findings, some based on digitised material, with others who may be interested in them.