Former colleagues say fond farewell to City Hospital

Corporate And General News

On a warm day in May, former colleagues from across the UK, Ireland and further afield joined together to say a fond farewell to their beloved City Hospital.

City Hospital, or Dudley Road as it was then known, is home to countless nurses and medical staff. Unlike today, former colleagues would receive their training on site, whilst working and living there too.

What is now the derelict Anne Gibson rooms was once home to a vibrant medical community of student nurses and doctors who called it their home.

City Hospital has a rich history dating back to 1887 when it was a workhouse. Over time it became a District General Hospital in 1920 and is recognised for its Nightingale wards and the long corridor known today as the main spine.

Mel Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer, welcomed guests, and they went on to enjoy tours of the former nursing quarters, catch up with old friends and discover our plans for Midland Met. Throughout the day, there was excited chatter, laughter and the sharing of stories from times gone by whilst everyone looked at some of the artefacts and old photos on display.

A former nursing colleague travelled from New Zealand to enjoy the reunion. She remarked: “I started on 5 May 1987 at 9am. It was the best training and really comprehensive. We covered several specialties, and we had a consolidation week at the school of nursing, and then we’d do our next placement. I went out on the ambulances, community, and haematology. “My parents lived overseas, and I wasn’t from Birmingham. It was nice to have that community with everyone pitching in.”

It's safe to say everybody had a fabulous day and thoroughly enjoyed taking a trip down memory lane.