Almost a Century of Healthcare

LWC HEALTHCARE Almost a Century of Healthcare

The nation has rightfully celebrated our incredible NHS during the pandemic, and we wanted to focus the spotlight on not only the immense changes to LWC’s own medical care, but also on our wonderful and dedicated Healthcare Centre team who support pupils and staff now.

LWC has seen an unrecognizable transformation in its healthcare over the past 100 years. In the beginning, under the Warden, Colonel Julyan, the first medical centre was situated above the garages, where a District Nurse would attend. It then moved to the lodge and later, in 1927, was extended to cope with up to just 6 sick cases at a time.

Health care evolved when Medical Officer, Dr E.A. Widdowson came onboard. Medical examinations were introduced for every new pupil, as well as monthly examinations of all boys, (on the first Saturday of every month), along with inspections of the buildings and surroundings. For any dental needs, boys were taken to Odiham where they endured the foot-operated drill.

Formerly a milking parlour, the infamous Sanatorium (SAN) was the next progression in LWC’s healthcare and was used as an isolation hospital for infectious illnesses; a visit there was something to be dreaded. Iron beds lined the cold, sterile tiles, central heating was yet to be installed and the food was less than desirable! A visit from a doctor to give you some concoction you hoped would revive you, a weekly interaction with the Headmaster, doing the rounds and the care from the SAN Matron were the events that broke up the long days and oppressive quiet. In 1969 there were plans to make the SAN a Music School, and move it to the Lodge, but this didn’t happen due to the outbreak of Hong Kong ‘flu in the Spring. The SAN stayed put until the 90’s, when the contemporary Headmaster, Guy Waller, built a new medical centre which was funded by the sale of the SAN which is now a private home known as ‘Stravanger House’.

Although a vast improvement on the SAN, the new Health Centre would, after 20 years or so, need attention and development once again. The tiny waiting room, limited consultation space and confined working conditions wasn’t meeting the demands of a rapidly growing school with increasing pupil and staff numbers, all needing medical services.

Fast-forward to 7th June 2018, and the newly expanded Health Centre that we have today was open for business, driven by Headmaster, Adam Williams. The cramped waiting room is now an office space which shares the old doorway windows with the new reception area that opens out to a huge waiting room. There are now 3 clinical rooms, a sick bay, and a counselling room (which was the old GP’s room), with counsellors based there 4-5 days a week. With an array of medical equipment, an extensive knowledge and capacity to offer even more services to the LWC community, Lindsey, Camilla and the team have become an even more integral part of the school.

We spoke to Lindsey Scott, Senior Nurse and Camilla Read, School Nurse to hear what life is like in LWC’s Health Centre and how they have managed the ups and downs of the last few years...

Both Camilla and Lindsey are experienced A&E nurses and have been with LWC for approximately 5 years. Their passion for medical, pastoral and mental health care shines through and it was amazing to hear about all of the different services they provide. They care deeply about the pupils and have established a comfortable and welcoming space for everyone. Watching the Juniors grow from the shy, nervous new starters to the confident young adults is a highlight for them, and they consciously encourage our more vulnerable pupils to become independent individuals. It is not a surprise that Sternians often shower the team with thank you cards and visits to acknowledge the impact they have on their time at LWC. In the past year, the Health Centre has stretched themselves even further to carry out the vaccination of eligible pupils at College. On top of this, there was the organisation of thousands of Lateral Flow Tests to ensure cases were controlled and disruption to education kept at a minimum. This is, of course, additional to the variety of visits they have daily, covering minor injuries all the way through to more urgent medical situations.

The team have done an incredible job and deserve far more than a round of applause. Their hard work was a key component to keeping everyone safe as we returned from lockdown and ensured that anyone who has been affected by the virus has received the help they need.

I think we will all agree that today’s Health Centre is world’s apart from the SAN, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank Lindsey, Camilla and all the team, whole-heartedly, for continuing to look after us, and for being our Healthcare Heroes!

Josie Gilday, who retired from her Nursing position at the Health Centre after an impressive 23 years, shares a few off her fondest memories of her time at LWC.

chevron-circle-right Rugby touchline duty in and out of the old blue transit van in horizontal rain (1997 -1999), and nurse duty handover on the touchline

chevron-circle-right Tea, toast and catch up with Matrons in house

chevron-circle-right Annual mass flu vaccination sessions – we’re still waiting for THAT pandemic. chevron-circle-right Providing all night medical cover in the MAD (sleeping on the floor) for a 24-hour Musicathon chevron-circle-right Deep snow days and walking to work

chevron-circle-right Med Centre participation in the Staff Charity Concert – there must be a film out there somewhere!

chevron-circle-right Moving into the new Health Centre on my birthday

chevron-circle-right Surviving 6 Senior Nurses, 4 Headmasters and 4

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