I was a nurse at Tywyn hospital for 13 years. My husband was born in Aberdyfi and I met him when he came to work at the aircraft factory in Bristol, but when he got made redundant he said 'we're moving to Aberdyfi'.
Being a town girl I wasn't very happy about it. But we did move in 1971 and the children settled in school and I ran a little rest home at Aberdyfi. As they all left home, we decided the house was too much work for the two of us, so we moved to Tywyn. I contacted the hospital to see if there was a job as a nurse and there was.
My husband died in 1986 but by then I'd settled in Tywyn, everyone was so kind and I've never regretted staying on. All this business of closing the hospital is so sad, and all the other little hospitals under threat.
The hospital was very busy during the war - our little hospital with eight staff had all the Army people here.
When they closed the Army camp at Llanegryn they moved all the theatre equipment to Tywyn. So when Mr Griffiths the surgeon came here to operate he couldn't believe how Tywyn had far better equipment than Bronglais!
We'd worked so hard to raise funds for the Dyfi ward, the geriatrics ward here at Tywyn. We raised £32,000 in the end and in those days the area health authority would match-fund it and the unit was built with the great help of Dr Tom. It was always full, but as the years have gone on things have changed.
Years ago, we had a paediatrician, eye specialist, physician, doctor for the elderly and doctors from Gobowen holding clinics. They'd do minor operations.
The idea now is to have a central video complex at Aberystwyth hospital. It'll be a bit like big brother - the specialists will view the patients over the video screen. But I think you'll lose the personal contact which is important. Although it will be good in some ways because problems with a patient could be screened straight to a specialist rather than having to wait to get down to Aberystwyth.
We're an ageing population here. The powers that be want to get rid of the little hospitals and build enormous ones. Wonderful things do happen in the big hospitals, but for all the people who helped build Tywyn hospital in 1921 and those who've worked here, it will be a shame if it all goes.
Aberystwyth is about 40 miles away, which is a good hour's drive."
Ray Lloyd: When you go in by the old entrance of Tywyn hospital you see all the bronze plaques for people who have given money over the years - what's happened to all that money? The local people accumulated £130,000 to open the men's ward.
If you go to Bangor for an appointment and it's late in the day you've got to stay the night.
Most of the beds in the hospital are filled with elderly people and lots of their friends wouldn't be able to get to Aberystwyth.
Update, 16 December 2008: Tywyn hospital remains open and North West Wales NHS Trust say there are no plans to close it.
your comments
Julian Tullett from Canada
My eldest son was born in the cottage hospital in 1972 while I was serving at the army training school at Morfa Camp. I remember that I could not go into the birthing room as it was too small for everyone.
Tue Jan 27 10:25:56 2009
Richard Hewitt, Chesterfield
I was shocked when I found out they where thinking of closing Tywyn hospital. I was the first ever male nurse there back in the 1970s before then helped decorate the geriatric ward with my in laws Mr Furneaux and sons. But was working as a male nurse when the Duke of Ediburough opened the geriatric ward when it was finished.
Mon Dec 15 09:21:33 2008
Pete Trigwell from Leeds
I was born in the cottage hospital in 1956 while my dad was serving in the Army, Imagine my surprise when I heard that the hospital was still open, I automatically presumed it would have been closed years ago, as so many of the smaller hospitals up here have been.
Tue Sep 2 10:13:05 2008
Coral Lorna Harvey from Tywyn
Tywyn hospital has been in operation for almost 100 years. Are we going to stand by and see it being closed and supplanted by super clinics and impersonal care that is meted out in a perfunctional and wholly impersonal way? I for one deplore the mentality of taking a valuable service away from the people of Tywyn and surrounding area.
Mon Jun 9 09:20:02 2008
Jane Jones from Auckland, New Zealand
Rupert, I have a copy of a newspaper photo concerning a Towyn Hospital Bazaar which shows your grandfather Dr J A Davies, Medical Officer and Mrs H.P. Rowlands (my husband's great aunt) (Hugh Rowlands was a doctor in Towyn c1890 until his death in 1929.) among others. Mrs Rowlands opened the first day of the bazaar and is photographed with a bouquet of flowers presented by Master Denis Davies. I would love to know more about the Rowlands. They lived in a house called Trefeddyg which apparently now houses offices including the Halifax Building Society.
Mon Nov 5 10:21:26 2007
Rupert Alban Davies, Chichester
My Grandfather Dr Alban Davies opened the hospital in 1922. I have almost no clear knowledge of his life but believe he served with Welsh Guards on the Western Front in WW1 and at Gallipoli with the Sandringham regiment. I would be very interested to know more about him and his contribution to Tywyn hospital!
Thu Oct 25 11:40:44 2007
Adrian Keep Reading Berks.
My first son James was born in tywyn in 1978 whilst i was in the Army at Morfa Camp. The maternity care was fantastic. I think it was a Doctor Murfin who looked after my wife during the pregnancy.
Thu Aug 2 09:35:24 2007
Anon, The Midlands
Three of my children were born in Tywyn hospital under the watchful eyes of a fantastic midwifery team (1994 - 2000) and what a fantastic experience it was. I was made to feel relaxed and having had another daughter in a large city hospital was glad I had the chance to have my babies in a place where I received care that was essentially the best ever.The staff were fantastic during my stay there. Nothing was too much trouble for them and I loved the cream cakes I was spoilt with. Everyone from the cleaners to the sister stopped by to have a chat and cuddle the baby. A wonderful start to life if you were the baby. The sort of care that only comes from a local community hospital.Some of the doctors were not so caring, I have to say. Dr Bishton was a star though and Dr Murfin (God rest his soul), what a paedatrician. I can remeber having my tonsils out there and having X-rays. No travelling to Aberystwyth when I was a child.What a shame the hospital is closing. It could be down to the doctors not wanting to work more than the surgery hours. The doctors could save this hospital if they wanted to. A doctor working from the hospital (remember those days?) could mean the hospital could be used more. It could be a hospital for young and old. No children having to stay in Aberystwyth.
Fri Jun 22 11:21:36 2007
PAUL B OF ESSEX
I was born in Tywyn Hospital on 29th Jan 1955. My Dad was treated very well in 1968 after a heart attack and through quick work of Doctor Bishton kept from who knows what. Both my Mum & Dad were treated later with kindness & great efficiency.
How can they get rid of Tywyn Hospital a great asset to the town. The nearest hospital after Tywyn is Aberywsth over 32 miles away. WHAT USE IS THAT !!
Thu Sep 28 09:25:29 2006
Brigitte Owen from Germany
Our youngest son David was born in the Cottage Hospital in Tywyn in 1970 and, being a German national (with an English passport as well) I can only say that I had never before or after received such professional care in yet such a "family" type of environment, where the patient actually still mattered. I hope that the hospital will stay open and carry on delivering the care and professionalism that I was privileged to encounter in August 1970.
Thu Mar 9 13:28:10 2006
Gwen Stevens, Tywyn
Having worked locally in the NHS for many years, may I point out that many older folk express a desire to die at home. I believe this has been misunderstood by the Authourity. 'At home' means to most people, 'in their local community hospital', where they are close to family and friends.
Sun Oct 23 17:01:53 2005
Scutt
This is a family, friendly community hospital that responds positive to the needs of both the young and old. Care is not a cheap option - it should be an enjoyable right!
Tue Aug 23 16:02:13 2005
