Photo Elm Tree Surgery

Photo 1. The front of Elm Tree Surgery in Church Lane, Left to right - shows Kathleen Haines, Sue Drew, Julie Kitson, Dorothy Arnold, Sheila Lee and Mary Prescott.

Photo 2. From left to right - John Clements, Kathleen Haines, Sue Drew, Julie Kitson, Dorothy Arnold, Health Visitor, Sheila Lee, Mary Prescott, Barry Demughn.

Prior to the rebuild in 1984, this building was a candle factory attached to Elm Tree House. (SHS Note: There is no documentary evidence or archaeological to confirm this). There was a passage joining the two. The main activity took place on the ground floor. The entrance was from Church walk and the waiting room was on the left as you entered with reception next to it. There was a long corridor leading to the cousulting room and examination room.The corridor ended with a staircase to the attic area where the District Nurses saw patients - the stairs were very rickety. Only one doctor at a time could consult so Dr Dumughn and Dr Clements took it in turns, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.  It was closed from 12.30 to 17.00 and the surgeries were open ended so the evening surgery often did not end until 21.00. The Doctor's wives looked after the phone in the afternoon.

Two photographs of the Dispensary as it was just before the rebuild of 1984, Katherine Haines and Dorothy Arnold at work.

Information supplied by Dr John Clements.