Dallas Barber and Johnny Earley outside Nana Ward in 1953

Readers have fond memories of the excellent treatment given to patients at the Morris-Wingfield Hospital.

Our interest in the Oxford hospital was sparked by the memories of Thelma Dover, of The Grove, Deddington, who had three spells there as a schoolgirl.

Another long-term patient was Dallas Townsend, née Barber, who was treated from 1953-5 after being born with club feet.

Her mother, Anne Ward-Barber, of Preston Bissett, Buckingham, writes: "The treatment, including numerous operations, was remarkable - the staff were the kindest, most caring one could wish for.

"Because we lived some distance away, we were given flexible visiting hours which was so important to our little girl.

"In fact, Dallas, when eventually she was allowed home, refuse to leave the nurses!

"We had to bribe her with the promise of a new doll's pram.

"Dallas was in Nana Ward and we cannot thank the staff enough, and especially the wonderful surgeon, Prof Trueta, who has given our daughter a wonderful, full life.

"She is now a lovely mother of two and a grandma!"

During her stay, Dallas was given the honour of presenting a bouquet to Squadron Leader Leonard Cheshire when he visited the hospital.

Mrs Ward-Barber has sent in a picture of Dallas and a fellow patient, Johnny Earley, taken outside Nana Ward in 1953.

She tells me: "Johnny was a lovely young chap and we hope he has had a good life, too."

Another patient(Helen Badcock, of Springfield Drive, Abingdon), who spent two years "flat on my back" in Gibson ward with tuberculosis from 1945, recalls: "It was strict in there, but it worked. Everything was scrubbed with carbolic soap and lysol disinfectant.

"There were nine TB spines and we were all put together so that we didn't see the short-term patients going home.

"We had great fun with the bus drivers and conductors. They came to the canteen for coffee and came to the windows to talk to us and waved as they pulled away from the bus stop.

"We were put outside every day and our beds stripped off. Fresh air was the only treatment for TB in those days - there were no antibiotics then."

10:59am Monday 5th May 2008

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