Memories of Mearnskirk Hospital (1952 – 1957)
Today it is difficult to imagine the regime which was in place for the children in Mearnskirk in the 1940’s and 50’s. I was three years old when I was admitted to Mearnskirk Hospital. Although it is a long time ago, I remember lots of details and some of the people who looked after me.
Here are some of my memories...
I was put in restrainers which were attached to the bars of the headboard.
Mearnskirk was classed as a Sanatorium. I remember rocking back and forth as a child, and still do it to this day when I feel ‘low’. On reflection, I must have been institutionalised. Although for years I thought I had ‘survived unscathed’ as I get older, and look back, it has affected me in some ways.
We were allowed visitors only on a Sunday for an hour. I was always delighted to see my Mum, as you can see. I never met my sister whilst I was in hospital as children were not allowed, although I remember on one occasion, my parents brought her to the window which was open.
My Mum passed away in Pavilion 1 in 1964, seven years after I left the hospital. To think that she used to come to see me there and that’s where she spent her last days.
> My memory is that we had mince & potatoes every day, except Wednesday, when it was fish and potatoes.
> There was a statue of Peter Pan in the grounds. It is still there.
> We went to see films in the Picture Hut.
> There was a big garden with lots of empty red rifle cartridges lying around.
> I remember seeing cows somewhere and thought that you milked a cow by pulling the tail.
> Most of the nursing staff were kind and caring but I remember some, very clearly who were very strict in their regime – they would point their finger and their brows would be lowered. This actually made me feel frightened. In my opinion, this would be classed as bullying by today’s standards.
Doctors: Dr Alex Dale, known as Daddy Dale; Mr Guest; Dr Dick (lady doctor)
Nurses: Nurse Rodway; Nurse Lewis; Nurse Bones; Nurse Hope; Nurse Canter; Nurse Wallace; Nurse Fox; Nurse Omnet - we called her Nurse Omelette; Nurse Doyle; Male Nurse Winston
Sisters: Sister Aird; Sister Goodwin; Sister Moore
Matron: Miss Forsyth
Patients: Peter McCallion; Hugh O’Donnell; ? O’Boyle
Staff/Adult Helpers: Johnnie - Polish orderly who wore big shoes; Mr Jamieson - Splint room - I remember that one lens of his glasses was opaque; Mr McAllister (Mac) - worked in the plaster room; Rosemary - Cleaner - Irish; Jean – Theatre and Plaster Room; Mr Imrie - the Sunday School teacher and also Akela of the Cub Pack; Miss Sutherland – Teacher
Ditties:
“Ham and Eggs, you’ll never see,
Dirty water for your tea,
How would you like to come with me,
to Mearnskirk?.
I’m tired of Mearnskirk and I want to go home,
Its weeks and weeks and months and months,
Since I saw ma home,
Mammy, daddy take me home…………..
Panto: Cinderella (in wheelchairs). I played Buttons and I had to say: “Hi Cinderella, what’s amiss, I’ve never seen you look like this” . I then sang “Wooden Heart” by Elvis Presley to Cinderella.
Brian B Greef (2010)